Kris Boyd suggests in-form Rangers star might not suit Michael Beale at Ibrox

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Kris Boyd has suggested to Sky Sports that Rangers striker Antonio Colak might not suit Michael Beale and his style of playing and could need replacing, judging by the way Rangers played while Beale worked with Steven Gerrard at Ibrox.

Colak, 29, joined Rangers in the summer and has impressed. His stats are impressive, scoring 14 goals and laying on two assists in his 24 games for the Gers. It was a strange signing; Colak only scoring four goals in 39 games for PAOK.

His form at Rangers has been excellent. But, creativity is not part of his game. He is a last-man striker. Colak does not run the channels and wants to remain in the width of the penalty area. Beale and Gerrard’s Rangers played differently.

Morelos, at his best, was often seen dropping in, allowing Ryan Kent and another winger run beyond. In 2019-20, his best season, he produced 39 goal involvements in 47 games. Boyd thinks Beale will want a striker that can drop in.

He suggests Colak might need replacing: “It will be interesting to see what happens. I think Antonio Colak has done really, really well. But I see him more of a striker that tries to take himself away from the ball.

“One that peels on the back of defenders. Under Steven Gerrard, with Mick Beale as a coach, the striker was pivotal to the way Rangers played, linking the play. So, the whole recruitment thing is going to be crucial.”

Boyd: Rangers striker Colak might not suit Beale

Boyd makes a good point. Beale was the brains behind Gerrard’s operation and while much of the success can be attributed to the Liverpool legend while at Ibrox – Beale’s work in training, tactically, underpinned the triumph.

So, if Beale looks to bring back the tactics that saw Rangers thrive, which would be unsurprising, they would need a striker that can drop in and offer creativity as well as goals. Is Colak capable of doing so? Can he change his style?

Time will tell. Morelos certainly did, adapting to Beale and Gerrard’s tactics. Colak is older. He is 29 now, and perhaps, more ingrained in the way he wants to play – rather than trying to change his style.