Former Rangers striker Macro Negri has revealed that he recommended current Ibrox goal machine Alfredo Morelos to Serie A side Udinese.
The striker – who famously scored 33 goals by January but ended up with a freak squash injury during Rangers’ push for 10 in a row – was singing the praises of the Colombian firebrand.
But far from try and protect Rangers’ interests with the striker, Negri once recommended Morelos to Udinese whilst working there as a coach.
“I was on the coaching staff working as a striker coach at Serie A side Udinese and I actually recommended Morelos to them at the time,” said Negri [Daily Record].
“It was about two years ago and I spoke to the board and told them how good he was and suggested they take a look at him but for whatever reason, they didn’t follow up on it.
“These things happen in football – there are so many players to look at.
“But now I am so relieved that they didn’t do anything because I’m no longer at Udinese and I want him to help Rangers win some trophies.”
Thankfully, Udinese never listened to the recommendation and Morelos has since stayed and found solid form at Ibrox.
The striker has 22 goals so far this season, and with 10 matches still to play between now and the new year, Morelos stands an outside chance of beating Negri’s 33-goal haul.
It’s something that the Italian striker himself actually hopes Morelos can achieve this season.
“Alfredo is on fire and it is amazing for him to have scored 22 goals already. The team is playing very good football and creating many chances so you never know what can happen,” said Negri.
“And the bottom line is that I am a fan of Rangers so I want him to score as many goals as possible, even if that means beating my record.
“Listen, it’s just a number and records are there to be broken so I would have no problem whatsoever if Alfredo can reach 33 or even more.”
