Rangers fans have pleaded with Alfredo Morelos on Twitter to stay at Ibrox as the weekend clash against Hibernian looms.
El Bufalo has been the subject of near-constant transfer speculation this summer and endured a poor start to the season in Light Blue.
Alfredo Morelos has started 2020/21 slowly. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The 24-year-old netted twice in the first home game of the campaign against St Mirren but struggled to make an impact against Aberdeen and Livingston and was left out of the squad against Kilmarnock as Steven Gerrard questioned the player’s efforts in training [BBC Sport].
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He put in the hard yards over the international break, though, and returned to form on Thursday evening, netting twice after coming off the bench in the 5-0 win over Lincoln Red Imps.
The Colombian international tapped home from close range in the 67th minute and rounded off the scoring with an excellent chipped finish two minutes from time.
On Friday, the player retweeted footage of his goals, adding the love heart eyes, a buffalo and a football emoji as his caption, prompting many Bears to plead with him to stay at the club.
Here’s a selection of reactions from Twitter:
Stay. Score goals. Win the league.
And then you can do whatever. pic.twitter.com/hXMoCxYp2U
— Ibrox Loyal (@IbroxIoyal) September 18, 2020
Alfredo Alfredo Alfredo👏 remember you’ll never be loved more than what u are now. Why leave🤷♂️
— Andy (@AndyMurphy1873) September 18, 2020
Please stay pic.twitter.com/M48uX84qXI
— we are the people (@DamInternet) September 18, 2020
— Carzybear. (@Carzy1994) September 18, 2020
Alfie pal, just coming on to this thread to inform you that you are going no where. Let the gaffer know I’ve let you know the script.
— JD (@Predator1986) September 18, 2020
Please stay wee man. Everyone hates us too, but we the Rangers fans love you 💙♥️🇬🇧
— Wigg (@Neil48233681) September 18, 2020
Stay at rangers and become a legend Alfie!!!!!
— Allan Ferguson (@Alfergie78) September 18, 2020
Please stay Alfie
— Derek stewart (@Derekst09944735) September 18, 2020
Give us 55 mate ❤️
— Gary Sloan (@GSloan1990) September 18, 2020
@RangersFC Announce #ElBuffalo staying
— Nathan (@NathanRFC97) September 18, 2020
The opposition may not have been high quality, but the striker – who played with stitches after picking up a nasty gash against Dundee United – looked back to his old self in Gibraltar ahead of a big test at Easter Road this weekend.
Alfredo Morelos celebrates scoring for Rangers against Hibernian at Ibrox. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
With some doubts lingering over the fitness of Kemar Roofe and the likes of Joe Aribo and Brandon Barker definitely sidelined, it’s likely that Morelos will start against Hibs, either ahead of or as well as Cedric Itten.
He has a strong record against the Edinburgh club, netting five times against them so far during his time in Scotland and Gerrard will be hoping he can produce the goods once again on Sunday.