Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. That is the Alfredo Morelos legacy at Ibrox and perhaps the kind of cliche that would be seen on his social media accounts.
Michael Beale didn't need to be as philosophical as that when assessing the six-year stint of a player that has had more highs and lows than many go through over the course of their careers.
In that regard, Morelos is unique. In so many ways, his time at Ibrox has been out of the ordinary. It will soon come to an end.
Beale aimed a not so subtle dig at Morelos in the aftermath of the win over Aberdeen - as he stated 'I think you saw a difference when Alfredo came on in terms of energy, but not a positive difference as well' - before going on to confirm that the Colombian will leave the club in the coming weeks.
Morelos has had more written and said about him than any other player over the last several seasons. Nobody divides opinions or provokes reactions like him and he finds himself the centre of attention once again as supporters debate what mark he has made at Ibrox.
Beale has endured Morelos at his worst but enjoyed and embraced him at his best. His exit is perhaps both raw and overdue and time will be a benefit in both regards as the dust settles on a chapter that has had its fair share of twists and turns with the striker as the main protagonist.
“His legacy? He was part of an invincible league winning side and that won’t happen for a long, long time," Beale said. “Or ever again. He was a key part of that team and he’s also now the club’s record European goalscorer.
“We paid £800,000 for an unknown boy from Helsinki and now he’s known in every Rangers household. So he’s a player that we will look back on in time with real fondness.
“I will have a lot of fond memories about working with him. Just because you make one comment about one performance doesn’t change that. It is what it is and I’ll be honest, I’ve said a lot worse about him.”
It was during Beale's first spell at Ibrox that Morelos really made his mark and his name at home and abroad. He was the man that the opposition loved to hate but one they had to respect, a talisman of a team that seemed destined to go on to bigger and better things after collecting money and medals here.
Somewhere along the line, it all went wrong. A campaign that started with Giovanni van Bronckhorst questioning his form and fitness is coming to a close with the post-match words from Beale that almost sum up the fall of Morelos.
“He’s changed as a player and he’s changed as a man," Beale said. “He’s become a dad and a husband and he’s changed. I first met him a long time ago now and a lot has happened to him.
“I love the aggressive and the robust Alfredo. Then he became a slightly different player, a real link up player.
“We were very successful in that period and now, he’s an even different player to then, if you like. A lot of his work outside the box maybe isn’t appreciated.
“I think like a few of the Rangers players he’s maybe been around a long time.
"We’ve had a lot of continuity which has helped us win the league, get to a European Final and win the Scottish Cup.
“Now is maybe a moment for someone like Alfredo to cut himself free and try something new.
“It will give energy in his life and give someone else the chance to come in and fill a big void.”
There have been many stages over the seasons where it was felt that Rangers couldn't live with Morelos and at the same time couldn't live without him. Soon, only one of those situations will be relevant.
A move to one of the biggest leagues on the continent was on the cards for so long. Now his next destination will be intriguing as he prepares to bring the curtain down on a Rangers career that has been record-breaking and historic but unfulfilling at the same time.
Morelos is one of a host of key figures that will leave Beale's squad in the coming weeks as contracts run down and futures are decided. The final Old Firm clash of the campaign is, then, one last chance for many to shape their immediate legacies.
“I think time will heal a few things around one or two of the players who might move on," Beale said. "Because when you are winning it’s a wonderful club and when you lose it is a tough old club to play for.
"You’ve got to take both in equal measure. I think for £800,000 Alfredo has more than paid back Rangers for the outlay.
“I think he will want to [put himself in the shop window]. When he plays he plays with passion and he tries and runs well in training, stuff like that.
"Maybe last week he was a bit disappointed he didn’t start and he came on, and that happens at times. You’re dealing with young men with a lot of emotions. But there is no issue.
"Wherever he is going he will want to go there in fine form and in a good place. If he hasn’t sorted out what he’s going to do yet then this is an opportunity.”
The sixth Old Firm showdown of the season is almost an inconvenience for Rangers. It must be won, of course, but it ultimately matters little for the here and now or for the future.
🔵 Michael Beale wants Rangers to put on a performance they can be "proud of" against Celtic. Robby McCrorie will start in goal & Alfredo Morelos will feature. 📺 Rangers vs Celtic, Sat 12.30pm. Live on Sky. pic.twitter.com/izQ6bxl5ar
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 12, 2023
Beale was able to cajole an underperforming side to Hampden meetings with Ange Postecoglou's side. Two crushing defeats then knocked the stuffing out of a squad, staff and a support that are now counting down to the final whistle this term.
Matches with Hibernian, Hearts and St Mirren will be played out after derby day. The summer, and the chance to rebuild and regroup, cannot come quick enough for Beale.
"Yeah, you’re not wrong," Beale said when it was put to him that he can't wait to get to next season. "Obviously that’s accelerated in the last two weeks when we had disappointment.
"There are a couple of things. Sometimes the disappointment is because we didn’t perform well or you don’t think the effort or the game plan is right.
"What I have is different – it’s frustration. We’ve had the opportunities to change our fate and we haven’t taken them.
"Is it anxiousness or down to a lack of quality? Those are all the frustrations that we have to take inside.
"We are a club at the moment where there is a little bit of change both in the playing staff and structurally. But all of it makes sense to me.
"I have a better first hand experience of it than anyone looking from the outside and I see a club that is vibrant and moving in the right direction. The team on the pitch now has to back all that good work up."
