We’ve seen the benefit of having a proper scouting system over the last few years, a massive gap between us and the rest in Scotland suggests that we are doing something right.
When Rangers signed Alfredo Morelos, Carlos Pena and Eduardo Herrera, little was known about them and it was the latter two that were expected to make the biggest impact and become first-team regulars, however, we all know how that one turned out.
The myth that Jonatan Johansson recommended the Colombian international because he was aware of his exploits in Finland are a little wide of the mark, a more accurate version of events is that we were looking for a forward with similar qualities to Robert Lewandowski and Morelos ticked most of the boxes – JJ was then asked for his opinion – Dougie Wright, the former Livingston analyst, revealed this in an interview on the Heart and Hand podcast, he had been working at Rangers at the time.
It will soon be time for El Bufalo to leave these shores and hopefully the recruitment team will already have replacements lined up, one potential avenue is a similar route to the one that saw Morelos arrive as a relatively unknown quantity.
Can anyone explain why Ignacio Ramírez still plays for Liverpool in Uruguay?
The U23 international has 41 goals in his last 55 games with 6 in 7 this season
Every team is desperate for a proven goalscorer & Ramírez seems to me the ideal option
Smart, clinical, dynamic & cheap! pic.twitter.com/BhujIbqqJN
— Simon Edwards (@SimonEdwardsSAF) February 16, 2021
Ignacio Ramirez plays in the Primera Division in Uruguay and has been capped at Under-23 level, he has a similar build to Morelos – but a little more “athletic” – and has a goal or assist record of better than one every two games.
This season he has six goals in just seven appearances for Liverpool and here comes the good part – his contract expires at the end of December making him an excellent value for money option whether a summer move or pre-contract transfer is considered.
Should we go for Ramirez?
Yes
No
Signing the likes of Lawrence Shankland or Kevin Nisbet would cost more money, they are a similar age but wouldn’t have the same sell on value, after all, what Spanish, French or Italian clubs would want to sign a Scottish striker?
With Ramirez being recommended by South American football expert Simon Edwards as perfect for a “mid-level” European team, the Dutch or Portuguese leagues, there is no reason why we couldn’t attract him to Ibrox, especially if we sell Morelos to a “big five” league, showing South American proteges that there is a pathway to the top through our club.