Journalist Jonny McFarlane has warned Rangers will have a problem if Alfredo Morelos is out injured for their upcoming Old Firm clash.
McFarlane raised concern over the fitness of Morelos, who left the Ibrox pitch with 20 minutes to go with a knock in midweek.
The severity of his injury remains unclear, with Michael Beale probably preferring to keep their arch-rivals guessing for the clash on Monday.
The Colombian has bounced back to form under Beale with two goals and an assist in the four games of his tenure, which is just one fewer goal than he managed in the 13 previous matches under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
The Celtic clash presents Beale’s first meeting against their city rivals as boss and may be forced to be without the 26-year-old if he doesn’t recover – something that McFarlane told The Rangers Review will require a major decision at Ibrox.
He said: “If Morelos is not fit, because he did come off, he did feel a tightness, what happens? Who’s in?
“Kemar Roofe’s back, Antonio Colak’s back, but these guys are not match-fit. They’ll need time to get up to speed – especially Roofe given the amount of time he’s [been] out.
“It’s an interesting one, and it’s going to be, I think, a subject that will be under major consideration and scrutiny at Rangers Training Centre over the coming days.”
TIF Thoughts on McFarlane’s comments…
It’ll certainly be a huge blow for the Gers if they are to be without Morelos, who has enjoyed a resurgence under the man who he previously worked alongside during Steven Gerrard’s tenure at Ibrox.
The Colombian would also be gutted to miss out with there always being an added edge for him with his record against Celtic pretty abysmal, with only two goals scored against them – the same number as red cards received.
Should ‘El Buffalo’ miss out, the option would most likely be Fashion Sakala at present, given he started over him against Ross County last week.
Colak is yet to play under Beale and Roofe will be way short of fitness after only nine minutes of SPFL action, so it is indeed a headache the manager will be praying to be without on the eve of his first Old Firm derby in charge.