Andy Walker predicts Rangers clash v Aberdeen, claims it is likely Morelos will leave
Rangers will have too much for Aberdeen on the opening day of the Scottish Premiership season, according to Andy Walker.
The Gers travel to Pittodrie hoping to get their league campaign off to a good start as they look to dethrone Celtic and prevent a dreaded 10-in-a-row.
And Walker has backed them to do so, even with the spectre of Alfredo Morelos’ uncertain future hanging over the squad.
It was reported earlier in the week that Morelos has already agreed to join French side Lille this summer, although the player himself has since denied that anything has been finalised.
But Walker believes that even with that potential distraction, the Gers will start their season off with a win.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “The likelihood for Steven Gerrard is that he’ll have to plan for the season ahead without the goals from Alfredo Morelos.
“The Colombia international has agreed to join Ligue 1 side Lille and they’ll get a regular goalscorer with a very dubious disciplinary record for their money.
“At times, Gerrard loved Morelos and then the following month he would be exasperated with him. The priority for Rangers now is to get it right in the transfer market for a quality replacement.
“Legendary status will be afforded to the players and manager if they can stop Celtic winning 10 titles in a row and the tone will be set for the rest of the season if they manage to secure all three points on the opening day.”
Walker predicts a 2-1 win for Rangers.
You would certainly like to think that the Morelos transfer saga won’t prove to be too detrimental for the Gers.
Steven Gerrard has even openly stated in a press conference this week that the striker has told him he is “ready” to make an impact against the Dons.
Only time will tell if that’s actually the case, but chances are that Rangers will need to be somewhere near their best to get a result against Aberdeen.
The Granite City natives can never taken lightly, and two draws in two months around the turn of the year reflect that point.
Gerrard’s men will have to be sharp, but hopefully they will have enough to get their title push off to a flyer.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox View: Stats show Sutton criticism of Gerrard’s Gers tenure is pure nonsense.