Rangers manager Michael Beale has given up on Alfredo Morelos, with ‘back door’ exit disappointing – Brian Laudrup
Brian Laudrup believes Rangers manager Michael Beale has “given up” on Alfredo Morelos in the dying months of his contract at Ibrox, with a likely-looking backdoor exit disappointing to see.
The Colombian forward, 26, runs out of contract with the Gers at the end of the season, and Beale has already confirmed that no discussions regarding an extension have taken place yet.
Beale admitted he would have to see more from the striker in training to offer him a new contract at Ibrox in a post-match interview after the 3-0 win against Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals. [Football Scotland, 12 March]
Writing in his column for the Scottish Daily Mail (Tuesday 14 March, page 68), Laudrup questioned whether the Rangers manager and Morelos had given up on each other as the season draws to a close.
“What I didn’t want to see was, when it was time for him to depart Ibrox, him leaving out the back door,” Laudrup wrote.
“Yet Michael Beale’s remarks after Sunday’s 3-0 win over Raith Rovers that ‘I have not seen any change in him’ suggests he has given up on Morelos.”
“He wanted to delay that decision for as long as possible and give him as many chances as possible but I don’t think Morelos has shown he’s got the hunger or the quality required any more. He’s looked out of shape and, in the big games where you need him, he’s not been there.”
Mismanagement?
Morelos has always polarised opinion at Rangers, and he even continues to do so when his exit is all but confirmed.
It does feel like the Gers and the Colombian forward are on separate sides of the train track right now, with no new contract talks confirmed and the striker even losing his place in the side to Antonio Colak recently.
El Bufalo remains and always will be seen as a crucial part of Rangers’ last league title win under Steven Gerrard, and perhaps he feels like he deserves a little more credit for the sheer number of goals he scored that season.
And although he hasn’t been at his bruising best this term, he has still recorded nine goals and five assists from 25 outings, which is by no means a poor return.
Yes, Morelos is a mercurial talent, and yes, fans tear their hair almost every week when watching him take to the field, but you can’t help but feel the club won’t know what they’re missing until it’s gone.
In other Rangers news, a journalist suggests Morelos to go into Rangers hall of fame with exit imminent.