Kris Boyd believes Michael Beale would make a ‘bold call’ by starting Alfredo Morelos when Rangers visit Celtic. He feels the Hoops have had the striker’s number in the Old Firm derby.
Rangers travel to Parkhead for the latest meeting between the Glasgow teams on Saturday. It is the fourth fixture between the teams so far this season with the Gers yet to claim a win after one draw. While Morelos has started in the past two encounters and also scored once.
Morelos pulled a goal back for Rangers as Celtic edged the Scottish League Cup final 2-1 this February. The 26-year-old prodded his shot home at the rear post from a free-kick by James Tavernier. It is one of just three goals the Colombian has scored in 21 games with the Bhoys.
Morelos travels to Celtic without much form in Rangers’ recent games
His strike at Hampden Park is also one of just 10 goals Morelos has scored in 39 matches this term. The forward has further laid on seven assists across all competitions through his 1,826 minutes of action. Yet he has not scored in his past six Premiership outings since February 1.
Morelos last scored a top-flight goal as he penned a brace at Hearts to help toward Rangers’ 3-0 win. He has since failed to score against Ross County, Livingston, Kilmarnock, Hibernian, Motherwell and Dundee United. But he did offer assists against Livingston and Motherwell.
Boyd warns Beale it would be a ‘bold call’ to start Morelos in the Old Firm derby
So, given Morelos’ lack of goals in Rangers’ recent fixtures, Boyd believes Beale would make a ‘bold call’ by starting the forward when the Gers visit Celtic in the Old Firm derby. He also points to the 11-cap star’s issues featuring against Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt.
Boyd wrote in a column for The Scottish Sun: “A fit and firing Alfredo Morelos should be the first name on the teamsheet for this fixture. But the Colombian has been posted missing for most of the season.
“The two Celtic centre-halves seem to have had his number and it would be a bold call to start him. His opposite number Kyogo [Furuhashi] is a different type of striker but at least he can be guaranteed to turn up.”
Furuhashi goes into the Old Firm derby with 26 goals and five assists in 40 games this term across all competitions. The 28-year-old has hit 20 of his goals in 28 Premiership fixtures. He has also scored three goals against Rangers, including a brace in the 2-1 League Cup final.
