Sheepish Mark Hateley has performed a sensational U-turn over Antonio Colak as he labelled Rangers' Champions League hero an "incredible asset".
Ibrox hero Hateley was quick to judge the Rangers' recruit following his summer arrival from PAOK, having failed to make an impact during the Scottish Premiership clash with Livingston and the disappointing 2-0 defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round. He insisted the Croat was "a waste of time" early in his Ibrox career.
Since then Colak has only improved, netting five goals in his last six games, and grabbing the all-important £30million goal that saw off PSV Eindhoven to take Rangers back to the Champions League group stage for the first time in more than a decade. Gio van Bronckhorst showed his faith in the summer arrival after dropping Alfredo Morelos from the squad, and the Dutchman was rewarded with the vital strike.
While Hateley admits he would like to see the Colombian back leading the Light Blues’ attack, he pulled back on the harsh words he handed to Colak just two games into the campaign. He told Sky Sports: "Alfredo is still a big, big part of this set-up and will be needed as the future comes towards us.
"Games are coming fast and furious right now and Alfredo will be a big part of that. I mean, Colak has been an incredible asset for us going forward. I was hyper critical of him in the Union (Saint Gilloise) game. I thought his runs were not strong for the side, but I think the players now realise where he is strong - with his movement around the penalty box.
"We have good movement right in the front three. Tillman has been a sensational addition. We are now looking forward to the big games coming forward."
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