Jonatan Johansson has tipped Alfredo Morelos to earn a big move away from Rangers, as quoted by the Daily Record.
The 44-year-old, who served as an assistant coach at Ibrox under Pedro Caixinha’s rule, is the man to thank for El Bufalo coming to Ibrox in the first place.
He spotted the then raw young striker banging in the goals for HJK Helsinki in Finland and recommended him to the club.
Johansson has been impressed by his contributions over two and a bit seasons in a Rangers shirt, but still believes there’s more to come.
Former Rangers coach Johansson believes Morelos can still get better
“I hoped he would develop like this,” he said, as quoted by the Daily Record. “He was always a talent. He had attributes that strikers in Scotland and at Rangers need. He had those and it’s about giving him the right coaching to make him sharper and fitter. He’s been getting that.”
“When you come to this level it’s about hard work and it’s not being happy where you are. The one thing I remember is that Morelos is very hungry. If he keeps that hunger and keeps up the progression I think he will go higher still. I don’t like to put pressure on him but he’s doing well at the moment and long may it last.”
Verdict
Picking up Morelos for £1 million in 2017 [Scottish Sun] has proven to be something of a masterstroke.
After a decent first season, he hit the 30-goal mark across 2018/19, despite his disciplinary problems.
However, after apparently cleaning up his act on the field, this campaign looks set to be his best yet. He’s already got 14 goals from 19 appearances [Soccerbase] and is bullying opposition defenders week in, week out.
As Johansson says, the reality is, if Morelos continues in this fashion, the Gers won’t be able to hold onto him for much longer. Especially if he cements a spot in the Colombia team.
People can run down the standard of the Scottish game, but if a player can perform in Europe and on the international scene, then they really do have quality.
The powerful forward will doubtless earn the club a hefty transfer fee somewhere down the line, but all Bears will be hoping that any move comes after he’s fired the Gers to a 55th league title.
