Following on from our assessment of Jermain Defoe, the final player under the microscope in our series of Rangers Half-Term Reports is Alfredo Morelos.
The Rangers talisman finished the 2018/19 season with 30 goals in all competitions. Yet, he was subject to more criticism than praise from outside voices.
Many weren’t convinced and claimed he had big questions to answer.
Does he have inherent anger issues which will forever render him a disciplinary liability? Can he produce under pressure against the big teams?
Those questions have been, for the most part, emphatically answered over the first half of the 2019/20 campaign.
The 23-year-old still hasn’t got the Old Firm goal that rival fans obsess over. Of course, Bears would love to see him check that off the list before the season is out.
In terms of his discipline, his end to 2019 wasn’t great. He was sent off twice in his final three appearances before the winter break.
However, both were for two bookable offences, with one of the cautions in each instance certainly dubious.
Before those blemishes, though, he had made it 32 matches without a dismissal, despite the constant attempts from opposition players and fans to provoke him.
There’s still work to do on that side of things, but there’s undoubtedly been a progression.
In terms of his goalscoring return, though, few could have expected such an incredible few months.
Before the turn of the year, he had reached 28 club goals in 35 appearances [Transfermarkt], setting records along the way.
Domestically, he’s fared well. By the break, he had netted 12 times, which was one less than Odsonne Edouard, despite the much-heralded Frenchman playing approximately 300 more minutes.
However, it’s been in European competition where he’s really shown himself to be top class.
He netted a remarkable six goals in six group stage matches, converting under pressure against esteemed opposition such as Feyenoord and Porto. It didn’t matter if the ties were home or away, El Bufalo delivered.
Add those goals to the eight he notched in qualifying, and you have the first player to ever score 14 times in a European season before Christmas [UEFA.com].
He’s shown the ability to lead the line with controlled aggression, to bring his teammates into play (registering an impressive 9 assists in all competitions) and to finish with both feet, as well as his head.
It’s remarkable to think that aged just 23, Morelos could still be several seasons of development away from his peak.
As his achievements multiply, his valuation undoubtedly skyrockets.
What’s most important to Rangers fans right now, though, is that he remains with the club and gets back on the pitch, scoring goals.
After a stellar first half of the season, it’s time for the Gers talisman to double up and to show that, despite all the criticism, he’s head and shoulders above every other forward in the Scottish game.
He’s well on his way to hero status, and if he fires Rangers to their 55th league title, he’ll be immortalised.
