Kenny Dalglish reckons Alfredo Morelos still has a vital role to play at Rangers as the Celtic legend posed a theory around the Colombian striker's latest performances by frankly stating the 26-year-old "might not be up for the fight".
Summer recruit Antonio Colak has become the Light Blues' chosen talisman so far this season and has bagged 10 goals from 11 Scottish Premiership appearances to date. Morelos has only netted two from eight league games, albeit the majority coming from the cameos off the bench.
And Dalglish does raise question marks over Morelos' attitude while out on the pitch but insists there's no reason why Gio Van Bronckhorst can't partner the pair up front together as the Ibrox gaffer looks to give his side a much needed spark after four uninspiring displays on the bounce. He wrote in his Sunday Post column: "Alfredo Morelos has been in the news in the past few days after his performance against Dundee in midweek. The Rangers supporters were far from happy with the way he appeared to go about his business for the 75 minutes he was on the pitch.
"Now, I’ve no idea what was going through the Colombian striker’s head. He rarely speaks to the media, so there won’t be an explanation from him.
"It could be that he was really looking to do well, and was frustrated at his own performance. For sure, it was Alfredo’s chance to impress, and show that he is the No.1 striker at Ibrox ahead of Antonio Colak. An opportunity to re-establish himself as the main man between now and the break for the World Cup in mid-November.
"As things turned out, Alfredo may well just have strengthened the Croatian striker’s standing. Again, and I’m surmising here, but it could be that Alfredo is just not up for the fight. Fans will be far from happy if that is the case. The very least they demand is 100% effort for the jersey, and they are quite right to see that as a minimum requirement.
"Whatever is going on, I don’t particularly want to focus on Alfredo. I’d prefer to look at the merits of Antonio, and the qualities he brings to the table. He has been a superb signing, and has shown he is reliable. He has been the main shining light out of all of Rangers’ summer signings.
"Yet I think there is still a role for Alfredo to play at Rangers. I heard Giovanni van Bronckhorst say that there is no reason why Antonio and Alfredo can’t operate as a partnership up front. I’m sure the Rangers manager wouldn’t have mentioned that possibility unless it had seriously crossed his mind. He has resisted any temptation, so far, to do so. But it would be an interesting one.
"It’s very rare to see a front two at any level these days, but I’m sure Morelos and Colak would be good together, given time. I’m not saying Giovanni should do that on Wednesday night away to Napoli, but he did have them on the pitch together against Livingston yesterday. But let’s hope that Alfredo focuses in the next few weeks, and is in the headlines for all the right reasons as the games continue to come thick and fast."
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