Alex McLeish: Cedric Itten pressure has spurred on Alfredo Morelos at Rangers – Exclusive
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 claims the signing of Cedric Itten last summer has raised the levels of Alfredo Morelos at Rangers.
Itten, 24, has featured 23 times for the Light Blues in the Scottish Premiership this season, but only four of these outings have been as a starter.
But McLeish believes the £3million [Scotsman] summer signing’s mere presence, alongside fellow summer signing Kemar Roofe, has been vital to the success of Steven Gerrard’s side this season.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, McLeish said, “He has come on now and again and scored vital goals for Rangers in this historic season when last year, and the last two seasons let’s face it, they have struggled for that kind of contribution.
“He hasn’t made as big a contribution as Kemar Roofe as we know.
“But the fact they’ve brought those two in, it’s given Alfredo Morelos maybe a wee kick up the backside to say ‘you’ve got some opposition now and if you don’t play to your absolute best Cedric can come in, Kemar can come in or play beside you’ as they have done on many occasions.
“But the competition has now increased with the fact that Cedric has come in alongside Roofe around the same time and I think it has pumped up Morelos.”
Competition breeds hunger
Options across the forward line has been vital for Rangers to really kick on this season and give a strong account of themselves on the domestic and European front.
Morelos has been in supreme form since the turn of the year, scoring eight goals in 13 games, but before this run he went through a sticky patch where he netted just once in nine appearances.
Therefore the contribution of others has been imperative to drive the Gers to Premiership success and a run to the last 16 of the Europa League.
Itten may have only started five games in those two competitions but he still has five goals to his name and Gerrard recently labelled him as “selfless” [Daily Record].
He will surely be targeting more regular game time next season and that can only be a good thing as Rangers look to make their mark in the Champions League.
In other Rangers news, Gers make contact over 12-goal EFL star once on the books of Atletico Madrid.