Should Steven Gerrard forget form and just allow Kyle Lafferty’s return against Hearts?
The big Northern Irishman spent a successful year at Tynecastle before switching for Ibrox early this season. Being part of the Ibrox dressing room once more appears to have given Lafferty plenty to smile about.
Yet, is it now time he stepped up in a Rangers jersey to haunt Hearts?
That’s the question Gerrard will need to answer this afternoon when then Jambos pitch up at Ibrox.
In the past, playing both Alfredo Morelos and Lafferty has been a no-go. As mentioned previously, the Rangers manager consistently goes with the Colombian for high-pressure games, and often over Lafferty. These decisions have been justified also, with Morelos bagging big goals in big games.
This afternoon must really be providing the Rangers manager with food for thought, however. With Morelos’ form at the moment, he’s undroppable from this Rangers side. He scores goals and often builds-up play extremely well for the Ibrox side.
Former club syndrome?
Then again, how can you ignore the fact this is Lafferty’s first match against the Jambos since arriving in Govan. There will be a real desire from the big Ulsterman to leave his mark on Hearts. Regardless of the good feeling he has for the club, players always want to net against their former clubs. Lafferty will be no different, and if he has that level of hunger in him, he’ll be a real danger this afternoon.
Gerrard may look at that and think going with two up top is the way to go in order to give it one last chance. He may also put Lafferty out on the left again, but the forward is much more effective being in the box and getting direct balls into him.
10 goals in 19 appearances for Morelos is another hard stat to ignore. Such is the form of the Colombian, Gerrard would open himself up to real scrutiny if he dropped him. Not playing Morelos in big games these days feels like scoring an own goal, and thus Gerrard is likely to call on the Colombian again.
In any other domestic fixture, Gerrard may have decided to put Lafferty on the bench. He’s a terrific impact player to come on and provide you with a more direct option.
For Hearts at Ibrox, however, Gerrard has to unleash the towering front-man on his former club.
