Ally McCoist has claimed that Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos has the talent to score 30 goals a season, but admitted that his discipline may hold him back.
The Colombia international has scored 11 goals in all competitions so far this season for the Light Blues, with two further goals coming in Europa League qualifying.
McCoist has now backed the 22-year-old to go to the next level and bag between 25 and 30 goals this season, but called on him to cut his petulance out of his game.
As quoted by the Daily Mail, he said: “The Old Firm should have a 25-to-30-goal striker. And Morelos has got the talent to be a 25-to-30-goal a season striker, no doubt about it. But he obviously has to keep himself fit and stay on the pitch. I think he’s got goals in him, I really do. I just think the discipline issue is something he needs to work on, because it was glaringly obvious that he was a massive loss in the semi-final.
“We’ll never know, but Rangers certainly had enough of the ball that day to think they would have created one or two chances – and he is the best finisher at the club. His goal at the weekend sums him up. I think that is his kind of finish. He lets the ball go through him and always does the right thing by going across to the far side of the goalie.
“I would like to see him enjoy his goals a bit more. I’d like to see him smile when he scores and be happy about it but he can score. He picks up silly bookings, petulance… if he can just get that out of his game. He is no good to himself or his team if he is not playing. If he can keep himself fit and stay away from suspensions, then there is absolutely no doubt he could get 25 or 30 goals this season.”
OPINION
There is no doubt that Morelos is the most natural goalscorer in the Rangers squad, and one of the best in Scotland. His work-rate and desire mean he is always pushing for goals, and his finishing ability sees him score more often than not. However, the young Colombian is also liable to missing sitters on occasion, and his lack of discipline, as pointed out by McCoist is his biggest issue at the moment. Some may call it passion, but the fact is that Morelos picks up far too many unnecessary bookings and red cards throughout the season. His petulance adds to that, with Morelos regularly rubbing referees up the wrong way and paying for it. If he manages to cut that out of his game then there is no reason why the 22-year-old cannot go straight to the top, with his natural ability not in doubt. Gerrard will just have to keep on trying to get Morelos to think about his actions in a game more, and hope that he manages to cut down on those unnecessary flashpoints.