Ibrox View: Controversial Jamie Carragher take on Rangers big name is surely unfair
RANGERS OPINION
As a general rule of thumb, when Alfredo Morelos plays well, Rangers tend to win.
It’s no coincidence that the Gers were in the driving seat in both the Scottish Premiership and the Europa League while he was banging goals in for fun before Christmas, or that they have fallen away so dramatically since his recent nosedive in form.
Just one goal since the midseason break has cost the Gers dearly, and yet his total still stands at a colossal 29 for the campaign.
Bearing all of that in mind, it’s difficult to assess what kind of season Morelos has had.
Superb in stints, dire in others, it’s probably not unfair to suggest that he could have contributed a lot more – and yet it feels bizarre to criticise a striker who has scored best part of 30 goals in a single term.
Nonetheless, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has made it abundantly clear how he feels about the South American.
When asked during an Instagram Q&A, as per the Daily Record, whether he would prefer to have Morelos or Celtic opposite number Odsonne Edouard in his side, he said: “Edouard, the Celtic striker.”
He then added: “He’ll be in bed Stevie [Gerrard], don’t worry about it.
“Morelos gets sent off too much.”
But is Carragher right to choose the Frenchman over El Bufalo?
Undoubtedly, Morelos has had his disciplinary issues in the past.
Five red cards last season more than attest to that, and for all there has been an improvement this term, two dismissals in the space of a few weeks back in December did little to convince onlookers that the 23-year-old has truly turned a corner.
And yet, you cannot deny the impact that he has for the Gers when he does play.
Even taking into consideration his slump in 2020, Morelos still has more goals in all competitions than Edouard this season, as well as registering more shots on target per game, winning a higher percentage of his offensive duels, and managing a higher xG rating, as per Wyscout.
He is a constant threat, and one who can devastate an opposition side in a matter of seconds when he is in the right frame of mind.
It’s Carragher’s personal preference to opt for Edouard over Morelos, and that’s fair enough, but dismissing the Colombian purely on the basis of slightly questionable disciplinary record is not entirely fair.
In other Rangers news, ‘Massive’ – Ibrox Exclusive: Bruce reacts to fresh Gers ‘kick in the teeth’ after UEFA report.