Rangers are counting the cost of a season-ending injury to Alfredo Morelos as the defeat to Celtic summed up how important the Colombian is to the club.
The 25-year-old striker has undergone surgery on a thigh issue and will not return to the team until pre-season in what is a monumental blow to the club’s chances domestically and in Europe.
For some reason, even with the Morelos injury the management insist on playing a way that is tailored to the forward despite Rangers having no suitable back-up and if Alfredo’s absence doesn’t hurt us, this lack of flexibility almost certainly will.
Next up is the Europa League quarter final with Braga and without Mr Thursday Night nerves are frayed surrounding the clash.
But whilst the injury to our talisman comes as a major blow to Rangers, could there yet be a silver lining?
Could Alfredo Morelos injury boost Rangers contract hopes?
Much has been made about the contract situations of Alfredo Morelos, Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent heading into the summer.
Of the three, Alfredo Morelos would probably be the player most Rangers fans want signed up after ultimately disappointing campaigns from the other two.
Ryan Kent has impressed in Europe, but his lack of goals on domestic soil have cost the club this season whilst Joe Aribo has been one of the most criticised after the defeat to Celtic.
The Nigerian international hasn’t kicked a ball for the club since January.
If they two move on with Rangers recouping transfer fees ok, but if Alfie was to go then the current situation highlights how much of a chasm there would be in the Rangers side.
Due to injury Alfredo Morelos may have to go on to prove his fitness before he can earn a move elsewhere and this might work in Rangers’ favour in terms of a new contract.
The club will hope to sign Alfredo down on a new deal to bolster their stance with the striker whilst Morelos has a club in Rangers who will back him in recovery from a serious injury.
This means that the problem might yet yield a new contract for Morelos at Rangers – even if it’s just a two-year extension – as he builds back from this serious thigh problem.
Meanwhile, a popular former Rangers star has been left “frustrated” as he’s made to wait for his Premier League debut.
