With speculation mounting about a big-money move to Derby County, it’s important to remember that Rangers were right to cash in on Martyn Waghorn.
The latest on the former Leicester City striker has thrust his leave from Murray Park into the spotlight, with some sections of the support claiming the they were wrong to let him go.
There was no denying Waghorn’s work-rate whilst at the club, with his performances often polarising the supporters given his inconsistency. The striker was a key part of Mark Warburton’s Championship-winning side of 2016, but failed to step up to the plate in Scotland’s top flight.
The inflated English market has meant that Waghorn’s price has rocketed after a successful period down at Ipswich Town, but that’s not to say Rangers could’ve got anywhere near the same money for him had he stayed.
Sections of the support were often frustrated by Waghorn’s performances in big games against the better sides in the Premiership. Despite a decent goal return during his time at Ibrox, it’s easy to forget how inconsistent the striker was in front of goal for a club who need reliable goalscorers to reach its long-term targets.
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One criticism of the club is that they could’ve bagged a lot more than the six-figure sum received for Waghorn. However, one of the main reasons for Waghorn’s departure was to get a big-name earner off the wage bill to help with then-manager Pedro Caixinha’s summer revamp. Despite the fact it never worked out for the Portuguese coach, Rangers had to show support for him at the time.
With a Premiership title challenge to Celtic the ultimate goal for Steven Gerrard’s new-look Gers squad, relying on Waghorn to net a substantial amount of goals would’ve been risky.
Alfredo Morelos may frustrate the support at times, but he remains a much more incisive finisher on his day than Waghorn was. With Gerrard in the market for another attacker, fans will quickly forget about Waghorn’s inflated fee should Morelos and his new partner start banging in the goals this season.