Despite Rangers potentially losing Kemar Roofe for a period of games, it isn’t all bad news for Steven Gerrard in his forward line and in reality it has strengthen over the last week.
Speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League striker, Noel Whelan, feels that the return of Jermain Defoe and the form of Alfredo Morelos will offset the absence of Roofe.
So what has Whelan said?
When asked to reflect on the news that Roofe may be out longer than originally expected, he said:
“It is a massive blow but the good news is that they have Defoe back now. They also have Morelos who is on fire at the moment. That is one negative and two positives for Steven Gerrard now.
“We know what Defoe is like when he is fully fit, he can get goals from anywhere. He is a natural goalscorer.
“Morelos is working hard and it seems like the relationship between him and Steven Gerrard is getting better. He is scoring goals and when strikers are scoring goals they are happy wherever they are. It was a brilliant finish from him yesterday.”
So is Whelan correct?
To an extent, yes, at least Gerrard has extra numbers now to cope with Roofe’s absence, with Cedric Itten also available he has three strikers at his disposal, whereas previouly, whenever Morelos got injured, only Defoe was waiting in reserve.
Do Rangers have enough to cope in Roofe's absence?
Yes
No
There are reports of renewed interest in the Colombian international, but he has been “close” to leaving the club on numerous occasions during the summer and is still here, he also looks happier than he has done for a while.
Losing Roofe just as he was starting to hit form is hugely frustrating, especially with the prospect of a partnership with Morelos that has yet to be given a real chance to flourish – hopefully the gaffer will get to see his best players all together sooner, rather than later, for a start, there isn’t much more space in the treatment room.