Exclusive: McLeish claims key Rangers ace to be assessed for fitness ahead of clash v Celtic
We’re delighted to welcome former Rangers manager Alex McLeish as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…
Alex McLeish has said that while Alfredo Morelos won’t want to miss out on the Old Firm derby on Saturday, Steven Gerrard will be the judge.
Morelos played for Colombia on Wednesday morning (UK time) and faced a 1,600-mile journey back to Glasgow in a race to be fit for the early Saturday kick-off.
McLeish said Morelos wouldn’t get much training before Saturday’s game and would be assessed ahead of the kick-off at Celtic Park.
Talking exclusively to Ibrox News McLeish said, “Steven Gerrard won’t see a lot of Morelos in training ahead of the Old Firm game – Morelos will probably see a lot of the massage table.
“They’ll be assessing him at the sports science level and giving Gerrard lots of information so he can make a decision on him.
But, uppermost in Morelos’ mind and the minds of the Rangers fans is that he’s still got to score his first goal against Celtic.
“He won’t want to miss out but Stevie will be the judge of that.
“He’ll carefully scrutinise him and hopefully for Rangers’ sake the other strikers are cleared to play, either on the bench or even ahead of Morelos.”
Rangers fans will be keen for Morelos to make the game but it’s a long journey back to Glasgow and the early kick-off on Saturday doesn’t help things.
If he doesn’t start but makes the bench, what an impact player to bring on if needed later in the game.
A lot could depend on whether Kemar Roofe is fit, with the Daily Record reporting that he’s a doubt for the huge game.
If he’s ruled out, Gerrard might have to start Morelos even if he isn’t 100% fit.
In other Rangers news, Gerrard to axe attacker in key change – Predicted Rangers starting XI v Celtic