Alfredo Morelos Has Evolved Into A Champion At Rangers
It seemed like a serendipitous moment when Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos would find himself breaking his duck against Celtic, to score his fifty-fifth league goal just a week after the Ibrox club celebrated winning their fifty-fifth top flight title.
The Colombian had gone fourteen attempts without finding the back of the net against his side’s fiercest rivals, a pretty uncommon occurrence for a player who has pretty much created a habit of scoring against every other team in the Scottish Premiership.
There’s something about the passionate Gers marksman that I just can’t help but like him. I wrote about his fine potential during his first month at the club, back in the summer of 2017, and I have written about him frequently ever since (not always praising him I may add).
I’ve always enjoyed watching a goalscorer, Messrs Ally McCoist and Ronaldo were my heroes growing up. Stars like Henrik Larsson and Gabriel Batistuta would always hold my attention whenever they were on the field of play.
While Morelos somewhat fits the mould of being a fine getter of goals, this season has shown just how much more he has to his game.
He has always had the ability to link up well with fellow forwards, I think he showed that early on in his career with both Kenny Miller and Daniel Candieas. That aspect of his all-round style was somewhat lost in recent seasons as he was tasked as being the main source of scoring goals.
Rangers in that timeframe didn’t have the strength in depth that they’ve got now in the attacking areas and that meant Morelos often did a lot of his work in the final third.
This term Alfredo has been asked to come deeper, drag defenders out of positions and free up room for the likes of Ryan Kent, Scott Arfield, Ianis Hagi and Kemar Roofe when he stays fit.
His more industrious and smarter runs have helped his team no end. They no longer rely on his strikes and yet opposition defences are still very wary of his threat whenever he’s venture inside their penalty box.
This season has seen him up his output in terms of providing assists, especially in the Europa League. He created five assists in Europe during this campaign, he only created one last season in the same competition.
While he hasn’t been in his richest vein of form in front of goal this year, he has still grabbed valuable goals against Aberdeen, Benfica, Hibs, Lech Poznan, Livingston, Royal Antwerp and now Celtic too.
It’s funny as many critics pointed at Morelos at the start of and during the middle of this campaign and questioned his form. They asked if he had lost his appetite? Was he unfit? Had his head been turned?
Yet when you look at the business end of this current season, Alfredo seems to have come into his own. Since the start of 2021, the hitman has made thirteen appearances and during that time he has scored eight goals and created six assists.
That’s the other admirable thing about the Cereté native, during his entire Rangers career he’s had pundits, journalists, fans and the like always talking him down or criticising him.
While some of that has been justifiable, he does have a history of overreacting and making silly fouls, a lot of it has been nonsense especially when questioning his desire. Plus we shouldn’t forget the rough treatment he has received from opponents and opposition fans. And yet time and time again the twenty-four year old has dusted himself down, answered his critics and proved them wrong.
His tally of 55 league goals in 116 games is extremely impressive. The forward has also scored a whopping ninety-three times in 176 outings for The Light Blues.
His manager, Steven Gerrard, clearly loves El Buffalo and will be proud of how the player has developed and improved his game:
“I see real signs of maturity,”
“He’s a player who is trying extra hard to evolve as a person as well as becoming a better player by really working on his game.
Gerard Via Evening Times
Rangers have deserved this league title.
Alfredo Morelos has certainly deserved his moment in the sun. The Colombian has worked harder than ever, stood up to criticism and came back all the stronger and has put his teammates first and foremost at the cost of himself at times.
It has been a joy to see him hitting that potential I talked about during his first month at Ibrox and I’ll be intrigued as to what happens to him come the summer!
Whatever happens though, he has certainly forced his way it Rangers folklore.
Posted on March 22nd, 2021 by scott
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