Steven Gerrard is going to have to put in Kyle Lafferty for Alfredo Morelos against Villarreal on Thursday night. That’s non-debatable.
But is this a decision that the manager should’ve made regardless of it being enforced?
Morelos is suspended for the trip to Spain, and will have to watch from afar when Rangers pitch up at El Madrigal. It’s a huge blow in the grand scheme for Gerrard and Rangers. Morelos is the top goalscorer so far this season, and notched two goals in Europa League qualifying.
Having him available would’ve been a huge plus-point ahead of the contest. But the fact is that tomorrow’s game against the La Liga giants would suit the Northern Irishman Lafferty.
It’s going to be of vital importance that Gerrard’s men keep the ball well in Spain. This is going to be built upon good hold-up play from the centre-forward. Granted, Morelos has improved so much in this regard in recent times, but Lafferty remains better and more used to the tactic.
Big-game experience
The striker has a ton of experience playing the lone striker role for Northern Ireland and Rangers in the past. He has the physical attributes to out-muscle defenders, and not to get distracted by any winding up tactics from the Spaniards.
It’s important to remember that Morelos is missing this match because of his own ill-discipline. Lafferty used to have the same problem, and could teach his fellow striker a thing or two about keeping the head. Now, however, it’s probably for the best that the former Hearts man is selected over Morelos for that very reason.
People will point to the fact Lafferty has never scored a European goal for Rangers as something to beat him with. That’s true, and the striker’s European record could be much better.
But that doesn’t change the fact that, on his day, he can offer something this game needs that Morelos can’t.
It’s the decision Gerrard’s been forced to make, but it’s one he, in truth, should’ve made regardless.
