For the first time in his Rangers career, Alfredo Morelos isn’t the club’s first choice striker.
The Colombian was dropped from the squad last month ahead of the crucial Champions League playoff second leg against PSV, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst citing concerns over attitude and fitness. His decision was fully vindicated after Antonio Colak fired the gers into the group stage with the only goal of the game in Eindhoven.
The Croat’s form since arriving in the summer has him at the head of the Ibrox striking queue. Nine goals in 13 appearances from the gers’ number nine is an impressive return and his ability to lead the line has proved effective for the way van Bronckhorst wants to play. He’s the man in possession of the jersey and there’s not many arguments to be made for him not getting the nod to start against Hearts at Tynecastle this Saturday.
There is one though. Morelos ’ goal record against the Jambos is seriously impressive. He’s netted nine goals in 12 appearances against the capital club since August 2017. Only Kilmarnock have suffered more at his hands, with 12 goals in 15 games against the Ayrshire outfit.
Tynecastle is an especially happy hunting ground for Morelos. In the four times he’s played at the Gorgie ground, he’s scored in three of them and when he didn’t he provided an assist. Furthermore, the Light Blues were unbeaten in those encounters.
Record Sport takes a look at his strikes against the boys in maroon that could give van Bronckhorst food for thought ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.
Rangers 3-1 Hearts, 7 October 2018
Craig Levein's side arrived at Ibrox having started the season on fire, going unbeaten in their first seven games, drawing just one and sitting top of the league. Having beaten Celtic in week two, belief was high that they could get something from Ibrox.
That notion was dispelled after just 13 minutes. A kamikaze attempt to play offside at an early Rangers free-kick saw the visiting defensive line charge out, leaving several Rangers players with the freedom of the penalty box after just three minutes. Morelos had all the time in the world to roll the ball to Ryan Kent for an early opener.
Ten minutes later, Morelos flicked home an improvised second before Scott Arfield made it 3-0 before the break. Jimmy Dunne’s second half consolation meant little safer that.
Hearts 1-2 Rangers, 2 December 2018
A couple of months later, Rangers travelled to Tynecastle and didn't find things quite so easy. Gareth McAuley’s own goal on 27 minutes gave Hearts the lead.
Connor Goldson scrambled home a leveller not long after, then Morelos struck in controversial fashion to complete the comeback. James Tavernier’s free-kick delivery was met by El Bufalo who helped it onto the back post, where it squeezed in. Replays showed he did so from an offside position, which enraged Levein, who let rip at the officials in his post-match press conference.
Hearts 1-1 Rangers, 20 October 2019
Tynecastle again and once more Hearts took the lead. Ryotaro Meshino’s stylish finish over Allan Mcgregor gave the struggling Jambos an early advantage as they looked to get their season going properly after a poor start.
But Morelos was the man on the spot to get Rangers back into things. He was left unmarked at a corner and after controlling a near post flick on, thumped the ball low past Joel Perreira to ensure a share of the spoils.
Rangers 3-0 Hearts, 3 November 2019
Less than a month later and the sides met at Hampden in the semi-final of the League Cup. Levein had been sacked and replaced by interim boss Austin MacPhee.
But Hearts’ fortunes didn't improve as they were soundly beaten at Hampden. Filip Helander opened the scoring shortly before the break thanks to a Morelos assist, and he put the game beyond the Jambos in the second half.
A tap in from a Tavernier centre made it 2-0 before another close range finish secured a brace and a spot in the final.
Rangers 5-0 Hearts, 1 December 2020
Less than a month later, Morelos was putting Hearts to the sword again. He set Rangers on their way to a five-goal rout at Ibrox after just 11 minutes.
Borna Barisic’s cross to the back post wa smet brilliantly by the Colombian, rising above two Hearts defenders to head low into the net. Kent added a first half second before Christophe Berra’s own goal, Greg Stewart’s double made it a miserable afternoon for the away side.
Hearts 0-2 Rangers, 12 December 2021
Another early goal at Tynecastle set Rangers on their way to a big win last season. Fashion Sakala was too strong a quick for Cammy Devlin, and he picked out Morelos, who took a touch before sweeping the ball beyond Craig Gordon. Joe Aribo doubled the lead after a great first touch and finish before the first half was out.
Rangers 5-0 Hearts, 6 February 2022
Another home game against Hearts, another 5-0 win for Rangers. Just like the previous one, Morelos was on target after 11 minutes, sliding in at the back post to turn home Kent’s ball across the face of goal.
Robbie Neilson;s team were well in the game until Morels claimed a brace on 64 minutes. He enjoyed some good fortune when an attempted through ball to Scott Arfield was deflected back to him. But there was nothing lucky about his finish, curling the ball into the far corner beyond the despairing Gordon.
Glen Kamara’s stylishly taken third was added to by Scott Arfield. Fashion Sakala then completed the scoring late on.
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