Rangers fans are a fickle bunch; that goes without saying. However, there is a common opinion that’s shared amongst most – Alfredo Morelos is an important cog that keeps the machine turning for the Ibrox club.
The 25 year old Colombian was lambasted by a few as pre-season came to a conclusion and the league began. They weren’t impressed that he didn’t return to Glasgow until early August, meaning he missed the league opener with Livingston and the away leg with Malmo, having to complete 10 days isolation in a Glasgow airport hotel.
With the attitude of certain Rangers players being questioned, the same couldn’t be said for Alfredo Morelos, who was pictured keeping on top of his fitness, completing laps of the hotel car park. As for his late return to the squad, Morelos had been with the Colombian national team through the summer, then spent a few weeks with his family in his hometown Cerete. Who could blame the lad, over 5,000 miles from home, having some downtime after a testing season helping Rangers win a historic title with 17 goals and 13 assists in 44 appearances?
Some might say that isn’t a great return, but Alfredo Morelos is more than a goalscorer. Defenders are drawn to him as they know he’s a serious threat; this in return leaves space for the other attackers to move into and play with freedom. His absence was clear to see in the first loss to Malmo. Rangers played with Itten as the frontman, and with respect to the Swiss striker, his movement is not on the level of the Rangers talisman. The Swedish defenders were able to stay as a unit and not be dragged out of position.
The former HJK Helsinki man thrives on the European stage, as was evident when he returned following just 90 minutes of match fitness this season during the loss to Dundee United. He dragged the team level in the tie with Malmo, netting the only goal for the light blues at Ibrox with a well placed backwards header.
That, unfortunately, wasn’t enough as the team capitulated in a similar manner to the away leg, losing 2 quick goals at the beginning of the second half against 10 men Malmo. As Rangers crashed out of the Champions League, the Govan giants were placed against minnows Alashkert for a slot in the Europa League for the 4th season running.
This time, however, the red card was flashed at John Lundstram for what could only be described as a lack of match fitness, losing his man twice, then having to bring his opponent down. It could only be described as another bump in the road. It was widely spoken about by the Rangers support as well as the Rangers hierarchy that building a healthy lead in the home tie would be preferential, given the visit of Celtic to Ibrox just 3 days after the 5,000 miles round trip to the Armenian capital Yerevan.
After an uninspiring first half and the dismissal of Gerrard’s fellow Scouser, this scenario was looking increasingly unlikely. If Rangers were to get ahead in this tie, there’s only one man you would put your money on under the lights in Europe, and he duly delivered.
It was 2 in 2 for Alfredo Morelos in Europe as he latched on to a cute ball over the top from Tavernier. Finding himself one on one with the keeper, he smashed it past the keeper through his legs. Yet again, his goal scoring pulled Rangers out of a hole as they at least have a lead in the tie going into the away leg. Where would Rangers be without him?
Heading out of Champions League was always a likely scenario, so spare criticising the young lad for returning a little later than the rest. In all likelihood, he’ll get firing in the league too and will yet again play a crucial part in what is arguably as important a league campaign as the last. A place in the Champions League proper is the reward that comes with at least a £30M payday.
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