Kemar Roofe has been backed to hit the goal trail for Rangers - if he remains fit.
Michael Beale is a huge fan of the attacker - who joined during his stint as Steven Gerrard's No2 at Ibrox - and he's been working hard behind the scenes to get over his injury issues. It's been a stop, start campaign for the forward but he will be back to join his team-mates for the start of pre-season training in a major boost.
Alfredo Morelos has been Rangers' key striker over the years but his departure has Beale in the market for a new No9. Antonio Colak and Roofe are the other striking options in the first-team picture but legend Mark Hateley doesn't believe the Giovanni van Bronckhorst signing from PAOK brings enough to the table. He knows he will score poachers goals from six-yards out but he's not the type to create and beat a man or run in behind.
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However, Roofe is a different story for the club hero who believes if he can give you 35 games a season - he is one 'without a shadow of a doubt' that you keep around and he will reward you with a high return in the goal tally box.
He said: "I still don't think Colak brings enough.To be an impact player you need to have energy and I don't think he brings that. If you get the ball into the six-yard box then he will score those sorts of goals.
“But, you are looking for someone who can create, someone who can beat a player and then put the ball in the back of the net. You also need someone to run in behind and Colak is not that kind of player.
“He is not a high energy player who turns defenders around and opens up big spaces in behind.
"But Roofe is different, if you can keep him fit and that is a massive if. But he can make an impact, 100 per cent.
"If you can get 35 games out of Roofe, he will be high 20s or 30 goals a season. That is what he does.
"I like what he brings. He scores goals. He has got that devilment about him as well, which I like in a goal scorer. He doesn’t mind being knocked about.
"I like all that, but you need to have that physical strength and ability to be able to bounce off people, recover and go again.
"His career has been blighted by injuries. It has been stop start, stop start, stop start at Leeds, over in Europe and at Rangers.
"I don’t know the extent of it and what state his body is in. If he was fit and could give you 35 games a season, you would keep him. Without a shadow of a doubt."
Mark Hateley was speaking at the launch of the Glasgow European Capital of Sport 2023 Refugee Football Tournament - Scotland's most diverse football event, which will take place at Toryglen Regional Training Centre on Sunday, July 2.
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