One criticism that can never be thrown at Michael Beale is that he keeps his cards close to his chest, the Gers gaffer, since day one, has been a pretty open book and is more than happy to speak – at length – about any given subject relating to the game that he is so clearly obsessed about.
After seeing Fashion Sakala and Antonio Colak tear Hibernian apart in mid-week, who led the line to face Raith Rovers was always going to be an interesting selection and, unsurprisingly, Beale opted to reward the new look partnership for their recent efforts.
Speculation about where this leaves Alfredo Morelos’s Rangers future has been added to by the link to a pre-contract agreement with Sevilla, however, nothing, as yet, has been announced.
Speaking after the 3-0 over Raith, Beale explained the current situation up front and why the Colombian international had to be content with a place on the bench for the second game in a row, as reported by The Rangers Revew:
“Alfredo had the shirt, he was the only striker fit and he did very well and I think in the last 14 games he’s got seven goals and five assists so there’s the one thing, he has performed. He’s training really well in the background but I like Tony’s energy and I put Tony in midweek and I thought him and Fashion were fantastic. They had a contrasting game today.
“In terms of the reports from the outside I’ve not spoken to him about it. He’s free to go and speak to other people. We’ve not spoke to him and offered him anything. We’ve not done anything with any of the out-of-contract players. We want to have a look and keep talking. Ryan Jack’s in a place where I’ve said publicly I’d like him to stay and the same with Ryan Kent. So that’s above me so you can communicate that.
“Alfredo’s situation is slightly different. He’s been in the club a long time and I need to see a little bit more from Alfredo day in, day out. I think when he’s played and the team has needed him, he’s fine. But I want more energy in the final third. Can he provide that? If he can, he’s a better option than what he’s been in the last few months. I think that’s fair. Everything I’m saying has been told to his face.”
There are several ways that you can take this. Personally, it looks to me as if the manager, and the club, are wanting more for their money considering Morelos is a top earner and will, probably, be wanting an even bigger salary to stay at the club.
I’d take Beale’s comments about not having done anything with the players who are out of contract with a pinch of salt though because you would expect, at least, for the club to have been informed by the players’ agents roughly what they would be looking for to extend their respective deals.
It’s a question that the manager will have to answer on an almost weekly basis, however, he has made it clear who he wants to stay and who has to do better to get their place in the team back – how Morelos plays, when next given a start, should be an interesting watch and one that will indicate just how much he wants to stay at Rangers.