Alex McLeish has intimated that Rangers ought to look toward Parkhead in order to ensure that there is enough goals in the squad to land the title.
Big Eck has a point when he states that there was too much reliance on Alfredo Morelos last season, with his injury and the all-round, all-action performances from James Tavernier resulting in the captain ending the season as the top goalscorer.
There were different factors as to why the Premiership retention bid failed, but one of the things that has to be put right in the coming season is for the source of goals to be shared and particularly from the attackers.
McLeish told Football Insider:
“The niggle last year was the reliance on Morelos for goals. With Colak, the word was that he is not a prolific goalscorer but there were moments in the West Ham game where he looked promising. They need reinforcement for the striker position.”
“They still have Kemar Roofe, he was probably one of the main catalysts for winning the league two years ago because he scored the most goals apart from Morelos.”
“Celtic has three or four players who were exciting and scoring goals last season. That’s the kind of firepower Rangers need this season.”
Reality
The quote above is the truth and few Rangers supporters would disagree.
Going into the start of the season at Livingston this Saturday, GvB only has one fully fit senior striker available in the form of Antonio Colak. That situation will need to change, quickly.
The return of Alfredo Morelos to training at Ibrox yesterday was welcome but he is still some weeks away. Kemar Roofe can’t be counted upon in terms of his fitness and then it’s up to the rest. We absolutely need more goals from Ryan Kent but the challenge extends to the new guys like Rabbi Matondo, Tom Lawrence and Malik Tillman in attack to get into double figures. It is well within reach for them, given their quality and the chances that will present themselves as part of this Rangers team.
The only other question is if there will be an additional striker to arrive in this transfer window? That one seems very much dependent on Roofe’s short-term future and possible Champions League qualification.