Kris Boyd questions whether reported Rangers targets Taylor & Dykes are good enough to replace Morelos
Kris Boyd has questioned whether reported Rangers targets Lyle Taylor and Lyndon Dykes have what it takes to replace Alfredo Morelos if the the Colombian leaves Ibrox this summer.
The 24-year-old has been linked with a potential exit in recent months after hitting 29 goals in all competitions this season.
Both Taylor and Dykes have been named as transfer targets for the Gers, with the former expected to leave Charlton Athletic after refusing to participate in the remainder of their Championship relegation battle.
For his part, Dykes has hit 12 goals and 10 assists across all competitions for Livingston in 2019/20.
And while Boyd has praised both players, he has also raised doubts over whether either is prolific enough to step in for Morelos if he departs.
Speaking to The Sunday Post, the former Gers hitman said: “Depending on what happens with Morelos, it could well be they will need a striker of the highest calibre, a No. 9 with the ‘wow’ factor.
“They will need a player who will really excite the Rangers supporters and make them believe that he can help the team win the league. As big a name as possible, and someone with a solid track record.
“If Morelos stays, I understand Rangers being linked with strikers such as Lyle Taylor of Charlton and Livingston’s Lyndon Dykes.
“They have both caught the eye in recent times, and I’m sure they would be good additions. They have different qualities and both know the way to goal, but I wonder if either is good enough to be lined up as a direct replacement for Morelos, with an expectation of scoring in excess of 20 goals a season.”
Could either Taylor or Dykes replace Morelos?
El Bufalo may have suffered a considerable slump in form in 2020, but there’s no denying that he is still one of the most fearsome strikers in Scotland on his day.
29 goals in all competitions is a mammoth haul, there’s no doubt about it, and finding a player who can replicate that potency in front of goal won’t be an easy task if and when he does leave Ibrox.
As such, you can understand why Boyd feels the need to question Taylor and Dykes’ credentials.
Of the two, Taylor is the more prolific goalscorer.
With an xG of 0.43 to Dykes’ 0.31, and a shot accuracy of 50% to Dykes’ 40.8%, he is the more reliable when it comes to providing a goal threat, as per Wyscout.
But neither matches Morelos.
The Colombian has a higher shot accuracy rate than Taylor, and an xG that is better by 0.29.
The best solution for Rangers would still be to hang on to their star man and to supplement his talents with another striker’s support.
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