Ally McCoist says he’s concerned about the fact that Steven Gerrard doesn’t have Alfredo Morelos to call upon for Rangers’ Champions League Third Qualifying Round first leg against Malmo on Tuesday evening [Scotsman].
Morelos is still self-isolating after returning to the UK late following Copa America duty and a short break.
The Gers coped fine without the Colombia international on Saturday in their Premiership opener against Livingston at Ibrox, with Ianis Hagi, Scott Wright and Kemar Roofe all scoring in a 3-0 win.
However, Morelos has been Gerrard’s go-to man in Europe in recent seasons, so much so that he’s now the club’s all-time top European goalscorer.
In his absence, McCoist fears the Gers may not carry enough of a goal threat at the Eleda Stadion.
“I can’t lie to you, I’d much rather Rangers were going into the game with a fully fit and firing Alfredo Morelos,” he said [Scotsman]. “That is a concern – and maybe that lack of killer instinct up front would be Steven’s only real concern at the moment. But it is what it is and there’s no doubt Rangers have the strength and depth to cope.”
“Fashion Sakala looked sharp against Livingston on Saturday and he certainly has a lot of pace. But he might take a bit of time to settle and that’s perfectly understandable and acceptable.
“I would take Rangers getting a draw over in Malmo, I’ll tell you that right now.”
There’s no doubt that Gerrard would much rather have Morelos available for the first leg than watching along from a hotel room in Glasgow, particularly given that Roofe is also missing through suspension.
The 25-year-old should be back for the second leg, though, and the Gers should still have enough to grab a goal or two in Sweden without him.
Not only is Fashion Sakala looking sharp, but Cedric Itten found the net on multiple occasions in pre-season, while the likes of Ryan Kent, Ianis Hagi and Scott Wright all look hungry for goals and assists.
Here’s our Predicted XI for the first leg.
