Why Kevin Kelsy is the powerhouse striker Rangers need as multi-million bid made
Rangers target Kevin Kelsy is hitting new heights at Portland Timbers and is expected to keep on continuing.
That's according to Timbers expert Billy Merck, who's told Ibrox News everything that Rangers fans need to know about the in-form Venezuela international.
US journalist Tom Bogert reported earlier this week that Rangers have submitted a bid worth around £7.4million to sign Kelsy, who's scored 10 goals in 20 appearances in the 2026 season so far.
Among those goals have been four scored in his last three MLS outings, three of which coming against Portland's bitter rivals Seattle Sounders.
Derek McInnes is in desperate need of picking his side up off the ground after a rotten start to the season.
And signing Kelsy, based on Merck's expertise of the striker, suggests that a deal could really be a lift-off for the Gers'
How good has Kevin Kelsy been this season?
Kelsy joined Portland in January 2025 from Shakhtar Donetsk for a fee worth around £4.4m.
The six-times Venezuela international has since gone on to wow the crowds at Providence Park in Oregon.
Merck, who runs the Green Is the Color blog and podcast, is finding it hard to describe Kelsy without sounding as though he's being too over the top.
"The challenge in commenting about Kevin Kelsy at the moment is avoiding hyperbole," Merck told Ibrox News. "At just 22, and in his second season with Portland, the club's current-season-leading goalscorer has found a form that allows him to leave his mark on each match.
"The Timbers still have half a season to play, and Kelsy already has a career-high 15 goal contributions, including eight goals in his last 10 appearances, a form that's impressive for any player, let alone a young one, considering also that's a stretch which involved three different Timbers managers and a World Cup break."
Since submitting an offer for Kelsy, it's been reported that Rangers are "very likely" to wrap up a deal for the South American hotshot.
It's unclear whether or not the Timbers have accepted the Gers' opening offer.
But is he worth the money that the Glaswegians could potentially be splashing out on him?
What kind of striker can Rangers expect if they sign Kelsy?
"Kelsy is a physically strong player who can hold the ball and allow players to run off him, and he's a sizable target in the box," Merck added. "But what's really been notable this season is that so many other things are coming together.
"When needed, he's been able to show deeper in the midfield to get the ball and create space behind him for others to run into, his press has been effective and allowed the team to win second balls in the attacking third that lead to immediate chances.
"His off-the-ball runs are intuitive, exploitive, and in sync with the creative players we have and their distribution strengths, and his finishing has been equal parts polished and opportunistic.
"In short, just about everything he's been working for is clicking at the moment.
"Kelsy has always had a great work rate on the field and at the training facility, even when things were not yet coming together, which can be expected from a young player. But everything is more complete at the moment.
"In addition, he's recognising where his runs are creating opportunities for others, allowing him to provide assists as well as goals, and he’s enjoying his football with his teammates.
"Now that he’s in this place with his effectiveness and confidence, I have no doubt he’ll just keep getting better."
Based on the raving review of Kelsy, it's fair to say that Rangers could be signing their new Alfredo Morelos if they're to get a deal done with Portland and the 22-year-old in the coming weeks.
Not only is Kelsy good at finding the back of the net, he's also someone who covers a lot of ground, pressing defenders and dropping deep to pick the ball up.
There's no doubt that this is a player that the whole of Ibrox can get behind if he makes that move and picks up from where he might leave off in the Pacific Northwest.