Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos silenced his critics with a deadly double as the Gers downed a dispirited St. Mirren 3-0 at Ibrox.
The Colombian firebrand has come in for some criticism for a perceived lack of interest at Ibrox but looked sharp, calm and composed to break a scoring duck which has overlapped from last season.
His two strikes in the victory over the Paisley Saints were only his second and third of 2020, with Morelos’ last goal coming against Hamilton in the Scottish Cup back in early February.
They were the striker’s first goals in the Scottish Premiership since way back in Boxing Day last year, where El Bufalo scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock.
Morelos had went nine games without a goal before the double against the Buddies.
Morelos’ teammates were visibly delighted for the striker and the 24-year-old appeared to answer that criticism from both supporters and manager Steven Gerrard.
Gerrard had suggested in the press that Morelos’ head had been turned by interest from Lille – the most recent of which reportedly involved a £16.25m bid [Daily Mail].
Morelos looked focused and determined from the off and was unlucky not to score in the first half with a stinging effort on the turn which was well saved by ex-Gers keeper Jak Alnwick.
Alnwick was in inspired form all afternoon – including a solid stop from a stunning James Tavernier effort – but was powerless to resist as St. Mirren defender Conor McArthy turned the ball into his own net to give Rangers the lead.
Morelos then added the double in the second half, the striker’s first and Rangers second coming from a James Tavernier corner.
Morelos’ second and Rangers’ third rounded off the scoring after some excellent Borna Barisic work resulted in a tap-in for the Colombian at the back post.
Here’s how some of the Rangers support reacted as El Bufalo returned to form and silenced his critics:
https://twitter.com/cami_roboo/status/1292492380097191942
https://twitter.com/kmacrae97x/status/1292492799313682432
https://twitter.com/55incoming/status/1292492764924575745
https://twitter.com/stewartdunsmore/status/1292492629796622336
https://twitter.com/Soulstorm99/status/1292493168680763402
