I heard a lot of good things about Alfredo Morelos when he first arrived in Glasgow back in June. The main thing was that he scored for fun at youth level and at HJK Helsinki in Finland.

So far at Rangers the twenty-one year old has banged in five goals in seven top team appearances.

He seems like an ideal opportunist. His second goal, albeit comical, against Ross County was one that a determined poacher scores. He didn’t give up when he fell to the deck after the keeper beat him to the ball, he got straight back up and nicked it off Scott Fox’s toes and tapped the ball in.

But it was his second strike against Dunfermline Athletic in the League Cup which proved to me that he is smart inside the box, knows his positioning strengths and can finish easier chances. The first shot was saved and the young Colombian was there to hit the net with a first time finish. It’s the type of goal that made Ally McCoist and Kris Boyd famous lethal Gers strikers.

I’ve been surprised by Alfredo’s aerial ability. He won a few knock ons against Ross County that found teammates. He also scored with his head against Hibs as he evaded two defenders at the back post to nod home from close range.

His headed goal against the Staggies yesterday was really top notch. Right-back James Tavenier hit the byeline with purpose and cut a floated cross back to the middle of the six yard box. Morelos was there (unmarked) with a Henrik Larsson-esque leap and he then powered the ball with excellent accuracy beyond Fox. If he has that in his locker then I expect plenty of headed goals this term!

Kenny Miller recently did an interview with BT Sport and when asked if he had struck up a partnership with any of the new forwards at the club the veteran gave a diplomatic answer basically stating it was too early to say.

I can tell you that Morelos already holds an edge over Mexican Eduardo Herrera.

Miller and Morelos already lookout for each other and link up well. Against the Pars, Alfredo played a big part in Kenny’s opening goal and in return Miller expertly laid the ball on for the younger hitman to get his first goal for the club. Whereas against Motherwell on opening day, Herrera struggled and Miller seemed to pick up the slack.

I’m not saying that won’t change for the Mexican international, just that Morelos already has an edge and works hard to get Miller on the ball.

Morelos isn’t just a fox in the box, although he does come alive in the penalty area and that’s where Rangers will need him more often than not. They forward also heads for the channels and can come deeper at times which gives another teammate like Miller space to run in behind.

The Colombian striker seems to have settled in well at the Glasgow club and looks delighted with each and every goal he scores. Which is great because that shows you he has passion for scoring and hunger to get more and more!

Rangers lacked that cutting edge last season.

Alfredo Morelos is still raw and you can see him being too eager in the challenge at times but at least the new Gers man isn’t shirking away for the physical side of the Scottish game.

His attitude has already impressed Gers boss Pedro Caixinha:

“He’s a boy who has anger, desire and passion. He plays for the team and he’s a winner.”

If he can continue in this way and develop those raw skills then he can become a highly polished forward. If that happens then I don’t see any reason why he can’t go for twenty or even twenty-five goals this season. I certainly think he’ll be aiming to get as many as he possibly can as he loves the feeling you get when your effort hits the back of the net!

Posted on August 28th, 2017 by scott
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