The former Ibrox Treble-winning captain and Record Sport columnist thinks it would be a mistake to relocate to South America.
Among my favorites was Alfredo Morelos. And that much is true for everyone who has read my column over the years.
During his time at Ibrox, I was always the first in line to defend the Colombian when the knives came out. Never mind other people’s patience, even when he was trying it on me. Therefore, it comes as no surprise to me that some Rangers supporters are now demanding that Morelos return to the team in January given that his huge move to Brazil backfired after just six months.
It’s easy to see why many may look at this and draw conclusions, as Santos, who have been demoted for the first time in their history, are said to be willing to let Morelos to go as a free agent next month.
particularly if he is accessible for no charge and is prepared to accept a reduced salary. Even if I instinctively enjoy the notion, I also think that it would be a bad decision for my former team and new manager Philippe Clement, who is trying to steer Rangers in a different way. Clement has already been forced to deal with players that he was given by former managers. Even though players like Morelos and Ryan Kent made significant contributions while they were in Glasgow, the last thing he needs at this point is to bring even more of them back.
In all honesty, I thought that the two players that were on the pitch on Wednesday night at Tynecastle would make better choices to play as Clement’s primary striker. And the only one with a blue shirt on was that one. First up, I always notice Lawrence Shankland when he plays for the Hearts. Watching him on Wednesday, I saw a ready-made Rangers center forward. This guy has developed his game so much over the previous couple of years that I’m shocked he hasn’t been picked up already.
When I say that his whole style of play reminds me of a young Teddy Sheringham, I mean it. Please understand that I’m not claiming he’s on par with Sheringham. However, he does have certain similarities with his teammates in terms of game intelligence and his innate capacity to enter hazardous situations and form connections. Because of this, I found it fascinating to watch Clement give Shankland a big cuddle on the field at the end of the game. I can’t help but wonder if the Belgian has the same thoughts about Shankland as I have.
During my tenure at the club, we developed a practice of acquiring Scottish strikers who were regular goal scorers in their home country. Individuals such as Kris Boyd, Kenny Miller, Steven Naismith, Billy Dodds, and Kenny Dodds made the transition and demonstrated their ability to advance and improve. Without a doubt, Shankland could accomplish the same thing.
He won’t be able to depart on the cheap, of course, but since he will be entering the final year of his contract next season, this could be the best opportunity to test Hearts’ resolve. If the Rangers did come calling, they would have a hard time blocking him. It wouldn’t surprise me if Clement did pose the question as he considers his attacking possibilities for the second half of the season because he also knows him from his days at the top level in Belgium, Beerschot.
However, Clement may also be searching his own locker room for answers, and it’s possible that he views Abdallah Sima as a center forward.
Honestly, when Sima initially arrived on loan from Brighton at the beginning of the season, I wasn’t sold on him. He appeared to be a player without self-assurance and finding it difficult to accept the responsibilities that come with being a Rangers player.
But now, things are completely different. He reminds me a lot of Peter Lovenkrands, who was a winger when he first joined the team but developed into a key player for us when he was used in the middle. Lovenkrands has the same lightning-fast pace as Sima, which freaks out opponents. Peter will acknowledge that in his early years he wasn’t the best finisher, but he worked on it, and I can see the
He appeared a little raw and tended to seize opportunities when they presented themselves only a few months ago. However, the way he handled his second goal against St. Mirren over the weekend and his winner at Tynecastle demonstrated the kind of poise that you want in a premier striker. Like I did with Lovenkrands, I know I would have liked to play with him spearheading the attack.
Since these men are quick, a rather ordinary pass over the top of the opponent defense into space can look like a brilliant move by a midfielder. Therefore, Clement might be considering Sima as a potential replacement for Shankland at Tynecastle, even if he is unable to force Shankland out. Sima would provide competition for Dessers and Danilo in the starting lineup. What I do know for sure is that despite both teams’ sloppy, unsatisfactory performance overall, the manager must have been quietly pleased with what he witnessed from his men versus Hearts.
This was a game that the Rangers would not have won six weeks ago. Nevertheless, they persevered and crossed the M8 to Ibrox with three points secured, despite not playing at their best. That suggests to me that these individuals are beginning to understand what it takes to play for the Rangers. You have to find a method to succeed even when you’re having trouble with form because you can’t always turn on the style.
Even though I was anxious for the last ten minutes, I really liked seeing them make tackles, win headers, and defend their box. Clement was encouraging them from the sidelines, as I could see. That’s what it takes to win games on nights like Wednesday, and it indicates to me that the players are picking up the manager’s mindset. Under his leadership, the Rangers are progressing. This serves as yet another argument against looking back at this point in time.
