Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos enters Thursday evening’s Europa League clash against Standard Liege under some pressure.
The 24-year-old hasn’t been his usual self in front of goal in 2020, only netting six times in 24 appearances.
Five of those have come this season but that tally includes a brace off the bench against part-timers Lincoln Red Imps in Europa League qualifying.
Steven Gerrard admitted that the Colombia international had had his head turned by persistent transfer rumours across the summer. With most windows now closed, his focus has since returned, but his goalscoring knack has still largely been absent.
El Bufalo is in the midst of another mini-drought right now, failing to score in his last five Gers matches and in either of his two World Cup qualifying appearances for Colombia earlier this month.
Last season, he could get away with that kind of run. Even in poor form, Morelos was unquestionably the club’s best striker, especially with Jermain Defoe battling injury problems in early 2020.
It’s a different story now, though, and unless he ups the ante, he risks being axed from the starting lineup.
Morelos is likely to start on Thursday evening in Liege, but Swiss international Cedric Itten has settled down after his move from St Gallen and is now pressing for more game time.
The 23-year-old scored a stunning brace against Motherwell in late September and his 19-goal Swiss Super League 2019/20 campaign proves he’s capable of leading an attack.
Furthermore, Kemar Roofe is back in full training and close to a matchday return following a calf injury.
The former Leeds United and Anderlecht forward was arguably the highest-profile of the Gers’ summer signings and he’ll need to slot into the side somewhere in the coming weeks, whether that’s as a no.9 or in one of the wide attacking slots.
When Rangers spent millions of pounds on Itten and Roofe this summer, it wasn’t with the intention of either player sitting on the bench for the entire season.
Therefore, unless Morelos can find his mojo in Belgium, he may soon be replaced in the starting lineup.
