Michael Beale reveals behind the scenes details in defence of under-fire Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos
Michael Beale has led a gushing review of under-fire Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos, admitting he has played through injury troubles since his arrival at Ibrox.
Morelos, 26, has blown hot and cold for large portions of his five-year stint at Ibrox and has netted just five goals so far this term under Giovanni van Bronckhorst and, lately, Beale.
The attacker was heavily criticised for his role in Celtic’s opening goal in the Old Firm – as he gave the ball away sloppily to Daizen Maeda within his own half, who would go on to convert past Allan McGregor.
The Colombian has subsequently been battered by fans and pundits alike, but the English manager claimed he sees a “different boy” to many and that the attacker has played through a niggle in the last few weeks.
As reported by the Scottish Daily Express, he said: “Alfredo, to his credit, despite all the things being written and said about him has played in the last two or three games when other players wouldn’t.
“I don’t read it all – I just sense it all I can do is go off his energy here in the building. His situation is not ideal if people want to go for him about his form but I see a different boy inside.
“I see a different person and I’m probably the only other person that sees what he’s going through physically at the minute to get himself fit and stay fit because he has had one or two knocks.
“Alfredo is a big boy. He has been taking this for four or five years now. Actually, it’s been quite tame since I first came to Scotland.”
Best option right now
Rangers fans have been left tearing their hair out at some of Morelos’ performances this season, but the striker is the best option the club have in their squad.
The prolific centre-forward certainly does leave chins wagging with some of his off-the-ball antics, but when he gets in the box, he does know how to find the back of the net.
The Gers have a plethora of options in defence and in other areas of the pitch to debate over, but in attack, the club do have pretty limited resources.
Kemar Roofe can’t yet be trusted to complete 90 minutes of action following months of inactivity due to injury, while Anotiono Colak struggles to have an impact on build-up play more than Morelos does despite a strong scoring record.
With the Colombian’s contract drawing to a close this season, Beale will look to extract every ounce of quality remaining in the striker and maybe look to reinvest in a marquee centre-forward in the summer.
In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton reacts to a stunning Ally McCoist rant after the Old Firm clash.