By Jonty Banks

2nd May, 2023 | 9:10am

Barry Ferguson: Rangers should ring the changes for 'disinterested' Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent

Barry Ferguson believes Rangers duo Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent looked “disinterested” during the Scottish Cup semi-final loss against Celtic and Michael Beale should start selecting players with an eye on the future.

The Gers fell to a bitterly disappointing 1-0 defeat in the Old Firm derby, with the sole goal conceded coming after a catalogue of dreadful individual errors and Morelos, in particular, coming under fire for his performance.

Writing in his weekly Daily Record column, Ferguson urged Beale to start a host of younger lesser-seen players ahead of the likes of Kent and Morelos during the post-split fixtures, with second place in the Scottish Premiership already confirmed.

“Guys like Rabbi Matondo, Ridvan Yilmaz, Alex Lowry and Robby McCrorie have barely been seen this year,” he said.

“These post-split matches will all be tough affairs but with second place wrapped up, maybe Beale should be thinking about throwing them in.

“Don’t get me wrong, he won’t want the season to end on any more of a whimper that it’s going to but these guys should be champing at the bit to get a chance.

“They certainly can’t show any less enthusiasm for the task than was on show from Morelos and Kent on Sunday.

“I couldn’t believe how disinterested the pair looked. We’re talking two guys who have been central to everything Rangers have achieved these last couple of years but they’re a far cry from that now.

“They’ll soon be former Rangers players and it’s now time to start thinking about the future.”

Time to move on

Both Kent and Morelos have had their fair share of triumphs at Ibrox, but it is time for Beale to set the record straight and pick players who are actually dedicated to the cause beyond the end of the season.

During the Old Firm defeat last weekend, both players were nowhere near their best and struggled to get themselves involved in the game to any extent.

When leading the line, Morelos was often isolated and unwilling to do the hard work in the channels, while Kent was easily picked off by Celtic’s backline time and time again.

Beale almost accepted that both players would be leaving Rangers at the end of the season after the full-time whistle, and he could now be tempted to start the likes of Matondo and Alex Lowry in advanced positions.

Yes, Kent and Morelos have been great servants to the club over the years, but their loyalties could be straying as they look to seal summer moves away from the club.

In other Rangers news, an Ibrox bid is being hurried up to bring in a new signing before he is snapped up elsewhere.