Stuart McCall is not worried about the contract situation surrounding Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent - he's all about the here and now.
The Rangers duo will be free to talk to other clubs come January with their deals at Ibrox up in the summer. Should they both depart the former Light Blues ace has challenged them to go out on a high and not let their remaining months at Ibrox 'fritter away'. Both have not played anywhere the levels they are capable of with McCall challenging the duo to get back to their very best when the season resumes following the World Cup break.
He's also cited Connor Goldson as the perfect dressing room example of someone who had a contract that was running down. The ever-present stopper kept his performance levels high and helped Rangers reach the Europa League Final and lift the Scottish Cup. He ended up putting pen to paper on a new long-term deal, a surprise to many. Kent and Morelos could follow a similar path with McCall warning: 'If you’re going to leave, you’ll struggle to find a better club than Rangers.'
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He said: “The contract situation probably does worry me a bit. But I’m more concerned by the form here and now. We could do with them finding their real form when the season restarts - the Alfredo of 12-18 months ago; the Kent of last season and year before. So, as a player, what do you want to do? Get that old form back - or just let your time at Rangers to fritter away?
“No, you should have desire and inner strength in your own mind. They’ll have great memories of winning a championship as an unbeaten team and getting to the Europa League Final. They should rightly be proud of that. But they surely should say: I want to get back to that, to get punters singing my name again, getting medals and picking up trophies.
“They were hailed as heroes not that long ago. While they’re still at the club, they’ve got a chance to make more good memories. And if it’s your last season, then go out on a high. Get that title back, go and show what a good player you are.”
He continued: “For whatever reason, the performance levels of Kent and Morelos have been nowhere near standard.
“I said last season Kent was the team’s most important player. He could do something different when it’s tight and teams sat in. He had a really good amount of individuality that could turn a game on its head and win it. At the minute, he looks a shadow of himself. Morelos, whether it’s fitness levels or whatever, has only memories of great times.
“But Goldson is a fine example of someone whose contract was running down - yet still kept his levels high. Listen, if they’re going to depart at the end of the season - or whenever that might be - that’s something you accept. If you’re playing well and going to another top club, fair enough. But if you have a fantastic season and the tide turns and you get the title back, who says you don’t do what Connor did?
“Everyone was surprised Rangers managed to keep him because all the signs were that he’d move. He enjoyed his time so much. And, if you’re going to leave, you’ll struggle to find a better club than Rangers.”
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