Michael Beale has told his first Rangers press conference as manager that Alfredo Morelos impressed him in training on Thursday – and is confident that if he plays the way he did in training today, he can get a tune out of the Ibrox ace.
Morelos, 26, has already written himself into Rangers folklore. Spearheading the attack towards 55 in an unbeaten season and overtaking Ally McCoist as the club’s record European goalscorer. This season, there are question marks.
The Colombia international has only started five of 19 games. He has been criticised for both his attitude and his fitness, scoring just three goals. Antonio Colak has come in and scored an impressive 14 goals in 24 appearances.
But the consensus is that if Morelos can get back to his best, he offers more to Rangers. The goalscoring quality of the ex-Helsinki striker – but also, the creativity of a 10. Beale was asked if he could get a tune out of the Rangers no.20.
“If he performs how he trained today then yes,” Beale said. “During my time here, Steven managed him fantastically well. Alfredo broke the European goalscoring record for the club, he helped us achieve what we wanted to achieve.”
Morelos impressed Beale in Rangers training on Thursday
What does Beale have to do to get Morelos back to the player he was during 55? Well, getting him fit and firing again is the first step. But Rangers played to Morelos’ strengths while Beale was in place – Giovanni van Bronckhorst, not so.
The Dutchman preferred a striker like Antonio Colak to stick on the last man and score goals. Gerrard, and Beale, used Morelos in a way that he played a bit like Harry Kane at Tottenham. It gets the best out of the Colombian powerhouse.
If Beale can start to see signs of that Morelos coming through, then there is every chance he can get a tune out of him. But, his contractual situation might be in the back of his mind. That might also need to be sorted out for Morelos.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
