A scoring sensation already at Rangers, Alfredo Morelos is exactly the sort of signing that Celtic had made their trademark in recent years.
Celtic pride themselves on unearthing unpolished gems from some of the world’s most untapped markets.
In recent years, the Scottish champions have brought in the likes of Ki Sung-Yueng from Korea, Victor Wanyama from Belgium, Nir Bitton from Israel and Tom Rogic from Australia for pocket-change fees.
Ki and Wanyama (below), like so many players to walk through the doors of Parkhead in recent years, earned the club a rather substantial profit when they eventually departed – a business model that keeps Celtic ticking over impressively in a league whose finances hardly compare to that of its extravagant English equivalent.
However, on this occasion, it appears that Rangers have pulled off the kind of deal that has become Celtic’s trademark in recent years. A prolific goalscoring record in Finland is no guarantee of success in Scotland but Rangers took the plunge and gave HJK Helsinki £1 million for their unknown Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos in the summer, per the Daily Record.
And the risk is already reaping rewards. Morelos has scored eight goals in 10 games and, according to the Scotsman, has already attracted interest from south of the border with five Championship clubs, Aston Villa, Barnsley, Bristol City, Derby County and Reading, all sending scouts to watch the 21-year-old in action against Partick Thistle on Friday.
You can add Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers to the striker’s growing list of admirers.
“They have signed a couple of players that wouldn’t be so known to many, but Alfredo Morelos looks like a finisher in the box and can get his goals,” the Northern Irishman admitted to the Daily Record on Wednesday.
It seems unlikely that Rangers would entertain offers so early but it’s clear that Morelos will be valued at rather more than £1 million these days.
Therefore, Celtic may feel a little aggrieved that Rangers, rather than themselves, discovered this diamond in the rough.
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