Rangers: Michael Stewart shares Alfredo Morelos verdict on BBC Sportscene
Michael Stewart feels that Alfredo Morelos is showing signs of progress at a crucial time for Rangers, as stated on BBC Scotland Sportscene.
The striker secured a brace in Saturday’s 5-2 victory over St Mirren at Ibrox, putting in an effective, assertive display, overall.
The Gers head north to take on Aberdeen next Sunday then it’s the crunch meeting with Celtic at Hampden after that in the Scottish Cup semi-final.
BBC pundit Stewart feels that some form could well be coming from the Colombian, just in time for the Gers Scottish Cup quest.
“The second goal of his was a really good finish in particular,” he said.
“Just looking at him there, he looks like he’s shed a little bit of weight. With just seven games left of the season, you expect that earlier.
“Michael Beale has been able to get a tune out of Alfredo Morelos, clearly when him and Steven Gerrard were at the club, they managed to manage him and get the best out of him and they’re doing that again, although Colak did a great turn from the start of the season.
“He dropped out injured and Morelos has come back in and he’s now looking fit. If Rangers have any aspirations of getting their hands on a trophy this season, then they need to have Alfredo Morelos at his best.”
The last dance?
Michael Beale won’t need anyone to tell him how massive the cup tie with Celtic will be. The Ibrox boss knows that his side needs to retain the Scottish Cup otherwise the pressure will be cranked up even more.
To book a berth in the 03 June decider against Falkirk or Inverness, he needs to get the better of his Old Firm rival for the first time, at the fourth attempt. Ange Postecoglou’s team wasn’t great in the recent 3-2 game at Parkhead, but their big players showed up to make an impact when it mattered.
On that occasion, Morelos didn’t. The 26-year-old needs to rectify that, in what will probably be his last high profile derby in Glasgow. Yes, the last meeting will follow at Ibrox next month but the one that really matters is in the cup.
A last dance, a parting gift. Call it what you will but the signs of hunger evidenced on Saturday, as Stewart pointed out, need to be backed up by a decisive performance in the Scottish Cup showdown with Celtic, from Morelos.
In other Rangers news, official club partner ‘Concerned’ by performances of key defender amid 5-2 win v St Mirren.