Writing in his Daily Express column, as quoted by the Scottish Sun, former Celtic player turned pundit, Charlie Nicholas, has claimed that Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos must perform against Bayer Leverkusen in order to save his reputation.
The Gers star has endured a difficult spell since the winter break.
He’s netted just once in ten matches in 2020 in contrast to 28 in 35 over the first half of the season.
It seems off-field problems may be having an impact, with the striker disciplined and left out of the Scottish Cup quarter-final defeat to Hearts last month after returning late from a sanctioned trip to Columbia.
Nicholas believes he’s done serious damage to his stock and is in dire need of a stellar display on Thursday night.
“2020 has been a tale of red cards, suspensions and a late return from Colombia – and just one goal,” he wrote in his Daily Express column, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.”He doesn’t look interested and appears out of shape.”
“When did he last play well? He should be fresh as he sat out three games serving a ban.
“Morelos’ value is dropping and his commitment to Rangers looks to be fading.
“These big European games are where he can do his manager and club the turn they deserve. Morelos’ reputation is now on the line.”
Verdict
There’s no argument that Morelos’ form has dropped off in recent times. He looks short of confidence in front of goal and his movement at Ross County on Sunday was nowhere near what Bears have become accustomed to seeing.
There’s also no excusing the 23-year-old’s failure to return to Glasgow at the agreed time ahead of that Scottish Cup quarter-final.
However, these comments from Nicholas are both factually inaccurate and lacking in context.
The factual error is that, despite what the former Celtic forward claims, Morelos hasn’t been sent off in 2020.
The key context that’s absent is that the Rangers striker goes into the first leg of the Europa League Last 16 tie against Bayer Leverkusen as the competition’s joint-top goalscorer.
Earlier this season, Morelos became the first player in the history of UEFA club competition to score 14 goals before Christmas [UEFA.com].
Sure, the forward’s valuation might be dropping and it may continue to do so if his goalscoring struggles persist.
However, to claim that his reputation is on the line before a tie in a competition where he has broken records this season is simply way off the mark.
Few are in any doubt about what Morelos is capable of after his incredible exploits against Feyenoord, Porto and Young Boys in Group G.
