OPINION
In a season that had looked over before Christmas, Rangers have somehow managed to salvage what could become a famous 2017/18 campaign.
The club’s woes under Pedro Caixinha looked to have derailed the whole term, but the stable leadership of Graeme Murty and some brilliant individual performances have given the club a massive lift.
One man that has been exceptional for the Light Blues this season is Alfredo Morelos, and the young Colombian has now been rewarded with a new deal until 2021.
As reported by the club’s official website, Morelos has signed a new deal which extends his initial contract by one year.
It had actually looked as though the 21-year-old may be on his way out after cash-rich Beijing Renhe came in with several massive bids, but the club decided to rebuff all approaches in a show of strength that has set them up for a perfect end to the season.
Morelos’ new deal comes at a perfect time for Rangers as they head into the biggest game of the season so far against Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday.
News of a new contract for one of their best players should help motivate the Rangers squad even further than they already will be.
Morelos himself should be rejuvenated massively after his efforts in becoming the Premiership’s top scorer so far were justly rewarded.
Aside from the immediate effects of such a move, the Morelos contract indicates a much deeper, and more important factor in play at Rangers.
It shows that the club are finally being run well after so many years of abject failure in the top positions of responsibility, and that is the ultimate aim for the club.
Mark Allen is doing a fantastic job as director of football, Murty is holding down the fort so well in the dug out, and even Dave King is showing some promising signs as owner.
Whatever happens on Sunday in the Old Firm, even if Rangers fall to another defeat to the old rival, the signs are still positive in Govan for a bright future.
And after so long in the darkest of doldrums, that is the best thing to happen to the club in years.