By Graeme Hanna

11th May, 2023 | 8:10pm

Michael Beale finally snaps at Alfredo Morelos after what happened at Rangers - Journalist

Sunday Mail chief football writer Scott McDermott stated that Michael Beale’s outburst toward Alfredo Morelos had been coming for a while.

Following the 1-0 over Aberdeen last Sunday, the Colombian was singled out by his manager for a perceived lack of impact and application, when he was brought on as a substitute in the second-half.

Morelos will leave Rangers at the end of the season with his contract expiring at Ibrox, as confirmed by Beale in the same press conference.

Speaking with Andy Newport and Gavin Berry on the Daily Record’s Rangers podcast, McDermott made clear that it was just a matter of time.

“I think Michael Beale’s swipe at Morelos has been coming for a while and it was almost like Beale finally snapped,” he said.

“When he came in, you have to understand that he needed to get a tune out of these players, whatever he thought of them.

“He could never criticise them in public because he still had to try and beat Celtic, the League Cup final, a Scottish Cup to try and win, so he had to back them.

“Morelos’ work rate is nowhere near what a Michael Beale team needs or what he’s going to be looking for. I don’t think he was throwing him under the bus, look, it’s a big boy’s game, he’s had a wee dig at him for a lack of energy.

“For me, Morelos has offered absolutely nothing upfront for Rangers for well over a year.”

Point of no return

There has been plenty of frustration from the supporters, in the stands and online, on the lack of return and the failings of the current Rangers side, so it is no surprise that some of this feeling has emanated from within the dressing room and the manager, Beale in particular.

He has watched his team fail to match the pace shown by Celtic, never mind going one better. A key factor for that is the toothless edge in attack with Morelos as one of the main protagonists.

Unfortunately, he is a mere shadow of the striker who gave so much to the club a few years ago and his devastating displays, especially in Europe, were enough to earn him a call-up to his national squad.

He is so far off that point just now but that is part of the challenge for the 26-year-old when he attempts to kick-start his career elsewhere.

Beale has had enough. With the end of the season very close, the point of no return has been reached between boss and player but it will be interesting to see what involvement the striker has in the remaining few games of the campaign.

In other Rangers news,  an out-of-court settlement has been predicted after the latest legal news developing at Ibrox in recent weeks