Alfredo Morelos secured the points for his team on Sunday by scoring Rangers’ second goal at Motherwell.
However, his celebration in front of the home supporters saw him sent off for a second bookable offence.
The controversial decision provoked fury amongst Rangers supporters, particularly as it will ensure that he misses Friday night’s game against Hibs through suspension.
Given the lack of senior striking options in the Gers squad, that piles pressure on a particular individual.
Defoe must fill Morelos void for Rangers against Hibernian
Jermain Defoe is the only other senior striker Steven Gerrard can call upon, and therefore, the burden of replacing El Bufalo falls onto his shoulders.
Replacing a player with 27 goals in all competitions this season isn’t going to be easy, even for a player of Defoe’s ilk.
The £1.58m-rated veteran [Transfermarkt] has 13 goals to date this campaign, including ten in 14 Premiership appearances.
However, most of those goals have come at Ibrox and due largely to the fact that he’s played second fiddle to Morelos, he hasn’t netted at all since the 2-1 win over Motherwell in October.
Leading the line on his own at Easter Road is sure to prove a difficult task, but it’s one that he must stand up to.
His small stature may not make him much of a target man, but he’s built his career around clever movement and sharp finishing, and Gerrard needs him to bring both to the table on Friday.
Already two points behind in the league table and with a trip to Parkhead on the horizon, the Gers simply can’t afford a slip-up in the capital.
