Rangers boss believes Alfredo Morelos ‘has his hunger back’

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard believes Alfredo Morelos is getting back to his best and has a hunger to take his game to the next level in Europe.

The striker found the net in his side’s 3-3 draw with Benfica to surpass Ally McCoist as the club’s all-time top goalscorer in European competition with 22 goals.

All of Morelos’ goals have come in the Europa League and Gerrard revealed that the player was delighted to reach the landmark, but now had his eye on stepping up the elite level of the Champions League.

“Yes, he was very happy after the game about his record-breaking,” Gerrard said. “I think he’s got his hunger back and you can see it in his eyes, he wants to go and score more goals in the competition.

“I know he’s got dreams and aspirations of playing in the Champions League one day, which is good for him.

“In terms of where he’s at, the goals are back, the hunger is back, the sharpness is back.”

In recent months, Morelos has not been scoring at the rate that made his name at the club, but has now scored twice in his last three games. Gerrard said he had seen a difference in the player.

“I don’t really like comparing him to (the Alfredo) of old because it’s about the now and what he is offering moving forward,” he said.

“But he’s definitely in a better place in terms of his form and how he looks. He’s smiling and seems happy, which is fantastic for everyone connected with Rangers.”

Gerrard was named as Premiership manager of the month for October, with Rangers defender Connor Goldson picking up the player award, and he said that the team had enjoyed a strong month but was wary of drawing early conclusions or comparing with Celtic.

“We’ve had a good month and the focus has always been on us, not in terms of comparing with elsewhere,” he said. “We need to focus on what we need to do.

“It’s far too early to get ahead of ourselves. We’re in a real good place, in real good form.

“We had a very interesting game last night but it’s back to domestic duties with Hamilton at home and we’re looking to build on our form and get three points.“