Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos missed a golden chance in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox.
Rangers legend Derek Johnstone has told the Glasgow Evening Times that he thinks Alfredo Morelos has a problem when through one-on-one against a goalkeeper.
The Gers went into Sunday’s Old Firm derby against Celtic in blistering form having won nine of their ten games in 2018, and even took an early lead against the Scottish Premiership leaders when Josh Windass ran clear to score.
Tom Rogic equalised with a long-range strike before Daniel Candeias put Rangers back in front, only for Moussa Dembele to lob Wes Foderingham and bring Celtic level once again.
Rangers looked to be in the driving seat when Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic was handed a straight red card, but the Bhoys snatched all three points when substitute Odsonne Edouard scored the winner.
The game almost took another turn late on, but Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos contrived to hit the post from close range despite having most of the goal to aim at, with the ball rebounding into Scott Bain’s arms.
The Colombian hitman has been criticised for the miss, as it would have brought Rangers level against 10 men, with his miss ultimately costing Graeme Murty’s side points against their bitter rivals.
Morelos has hit 17 goals in all competitions this season, but Rangers hero Derek Johnstone has now told the Glasgow Evening Times that he has noticed a problem with the summer signing; the fact he struggles to beat goalkeepers when clean through on goal.
Johnstone added that there are ‘no excuses’ for Morelos’ miss against Celtic, but hopes he can keep his confidence up and keep his place ahead of Jason Cummings, urging him to hit back with goals against Kilmarnock this weekend.
“I watched him closely though in the previous week’s game against Falkirk, and twice he was through in exactly the same scenario as the first chance he had against Celtic, and he couldn’t beat the keeper,” said Johnstone. “He hit the first one against the goalie, and then the second time he tried to round him, and the keeper did well to get it at his feet. So, he has a problem when he is running through at distance with just the keeper to beat, and I think that’s evident.”
“There’s no excuses about the one in the 88th minute. That will go down in history and no one will ever forget it, especially him. It was such a big game and what a chance to salvage something from it. I just don’t understand how he’s missed it. His confidence must be shattered after that, and it’s important that he picks himself up quickly. I love his work-rate, and that is the edge he has on Jason Cummings. I just hope that the fact he has missed these chances against Celtic and has yet to score against them doesn’t become an albatross around his neck. He’s got to get back to scoring goals quickly on the domestic scene, and that starts on Saturday,” he added.
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