In years gone by we’ve seen Ally McCoist, Mark Hateley, Barry Ferguson, Nikica Jelavic, Kyle Lafferty and Kris Boyd all stand up and be counted when it mattered most, players who, at the sharp end of the season, scored the goals that got us over line – and now, we need someone to do the same.
Last season it was Alfredo Morelos. His form this time last year was crucial in clinching the title, even if it was just a matter of time. Hindsight is a wonderful thing in that it would have happened at some point but, looking back, goals against Celtic, Hibs, Aberdeen and Livingston were monumental in calming nerves and getting the job done.
We need someone to do something similar this season if we are to have any chance of retaining the title, someone who will go on a run of a goal or an assist every game between now and week 38 – El Bufalo can’t do it on his own.
Fashion Sakala was given a great chance at the weekend but a mixture of poor finishing and Aberdeen doubling up on him meant that he struggled to make the impact that his effort deserved, he does have a good habit of getting into goalscoring positions though.
Ryan Kent really needs a goal but, you get the feeling that if he gets one, then he will hit a purple patch. There has been nothing wrong with his creativity but he finds himself next to Glen Kamara and Filip Helander in the goalscoring charts and the big Swede has only had two attempts at goal to the wingers 39.
The favourite to take our title bid to the wire is Kemar Roofe, he’s always had a good goalscoring ratio and when he’s hot, he’s very hot, even in a season blighted by injury he has still managed a goal every 114 minutes in the league. Giovanni van Bronckhorst has to find a way of getting him into the team and increasing our chances of scoring more goals.
One or more of these players have to get, at least, a goal every two games along with Morelos’s contribution, if they don’t, we can wave goodbye to the title.