Marco Negri has previewed this weekend’s Old Firm clash in his native Italy as well as revealing a recommendation made to Udinese regarding Alfredo Morelos.
Speaking to Goal Italia, the former Ranger reviewed the season to date, the Old Firm rivalry from his own experiences as well as his personal role in marking out Morelos as a potential signing for the Serie A club.
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— GOAL Italia (@GoalItalia) March 31, 2022
“Morelos is a modern player, he has an easy (way to) goal, he can play alone because he plays the space. He has overflowing physical strength: if you leave him in space he can punish you.
“In 2018/19 I was on Massimo Oddo’s staff at Udine, in Serie A, as a forward coach and I gave the name of Morelos to the Udinese managementbecause he was a young man I liked very much, he was making his way to Rangers, scoring many goals. Then nothing came of it. “.
Reputation
Thanks to an enhanced showing on the European stage against the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Red Star, Morelos name will be on the lists of many clubs across the continent, particularly as his contract situation is still to be resolved. With a recent change of agent, the Colombian appears likely to secure improved terms or a fresh start elsewhere. That business has to be a priority for Rangers to iron out with the striker out of contract in May 2023 as things stand.
As well as his praise for Morelos, Negri also earmarked James Tavernier and Glen Kamara as two players who could play at a higher level than the Scottish Premiership as a double that he is particularly fond of:
“The players most ready for a top league? Kamara is on everyone’s lips because last year he had an amazing championship and even then because he cost just 50 thousand pounds. Morelos I would see him well, even if in the Premier League it is tough. The player in my opinion more ready is Tavernier, the captain. Not so much in a four-man (defensive) line, but if you play with the five behind and give Tavernier more chances to push forward, he is a player who makes the difference.”
“He has a crazy quality, he scores a lot of goals. Apart from penalties, he shoots free kicks well: he is in full maturity, he is a leader. In a right team he could do well.”
Negri also recalled amusing anecdotes regarding Gazza and the tense Old Firm environment in Glasgow – something that will be replicated this weekend with the importance of this particular derby recognised by media outlets across Europe, such as this won.
Nothing will be won or lost on Sunday but the game has a defining feel to it. A home win will rally Rangers, sending them level top with a new pressure for Celtic to deal with but an away victory would mean a six point gap and a very likely Parkhead title to follow.
Hopefully that man Morelos can have another say to add to his string to send the initiative firmly in favour of the Gers.