DURRANT: STEVIE’S MADE MORELOS SMILES BETTER:
DURRANT: Gerrard has put a smile back on Alfredo’s face and the striker can repay him by netting against Celts
IAN DURRANT believes Steven Gerrard has lifted everybody at Rangers so much he has even managed to put a smile on the face of enigmatic striker Alfredo Morelos.
The Colombian scored his first Premiership goal of the campaign in Sunday’s 2-0 win over St Mirren at Ibrox. And Light Blues legend Durrant believes the Rangers boss has already worked his magic on the temperamental Morelos.
Gerrard’s men travel to Celtic Park on September 2 for the first Old Firm clash of the season.
Durrant is convinced the attacker can kick on again and prove his worth to the Light Blues this season if he nets against the Hoops.
The 22-year-old was guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance during last season’s 3-2 to defeat to Celtic at Ibrox when he hit the post from close range and cost Rangers the chance of a draw.
The former Scotland midfielder reckons that could be the stage where Morelos finally shows he has what it takes to score in derbies.
Durrant said: “Steven Gerrard has got people smiling again. There’s a feelgood factor about the place which hasn’t been there for a long time.
“Everything about the club is on the up at the moment.
“Gerrard has even got Morelos smiling again. He’s a threat and if you get the ball into him he’ll cause problems.
“He was the top scorer last season but the thing about centre-forwards is they rely on ammunition.
“He has been scoring every week and will be looking to keep that going. If he stays free of injury and suspension he will be looking to improve. The crux of the matter is this, ‘Can Morelos score in Old Firm games?’
“He will have the opportunity in a few weeks to show he can do that. Rangers were unlucky in a couple of the games against Celtic last season, especially the game at Ibrox when Celtic won 3-2.
“Morelos missed that chance that would have made it 3-3 and the smallest of factors in these games can count for a lot. You just need to take your chances when they come.”
Durrant has also seen Celtic steamroller the Light Blues in the bulk of Old Firm games since Brendan Rodgers took over two seasons ago.
But he reckons Gerrard’s
new-look Rangers will be a match for the Hoops in terms of physicality this season, although he did sound a note of caution over Rangers’ disciplinary record.
He added: “Rangers seem to get the ball forward quickly. They have pace in the team and good legs in the middle of the park.
“They have solidity in the middle of the park and he’s also brought good defenders in. They have a spine and they have proper men who know how to do their job.
“I did hear Gerrard saying his team were over-physical at the moment and had been picking up too many red cards and bookings.
“Maybe some of them have been a bit over enthusiastic because they want to play in the team and have picked up some rash booking – but it’s not that bad a thing.
“I can see what they are doing in terms of the physicality but that can cost you.
“It’s been a mismatch in some of the previous Old Firm games but now we’ll find out how close the teams are. There were moments here and there last season when Rangers might have got in front then Celtic proved to be too strong for them.”
While Durrant is loathe to compare Gerrard’s arrival at Ibrox to that of Graeme Souness he reckons Gerrard is going about his business in the same way as the legendary Rangers manager.
He said: “I hate going on about it but it’s like when I was there and Souness came in.
“Rangers have had a similar lift with Gerrard. You can tell by the way fans are turning up for games now.
“You see by the way Gerrard talks everything is positive and long may that continue.
“We’ll find out where Rangers are in three weeks and if they can take advantage of what’s happening at Celtic. Brendan Rodgers wanted to bring in players to put a challenge down to Europe and he will be sorry to miss out on John McGinn.
“If you analyse Celtic they do have an abundance of players in that position. I thought with McGinn being a Celtic man he would have gone there but he’s obviously tried his luck down in England and by every report he had an excellent debut for Aston Villa.
“Celtic are looking for players because they want to challenge in Europe. I am sure before long they will acquire a few players, as will Rangers.
“Of course there will be optimism if Rangers’ current form carries on. It’s about building momentum for them. It does seem everyone at Ibrox has a spring in their step and will be looking to this season to build and build.
“But the game against Celtic is the ultimate marker.
“I remember Souness wanting to put a marker down because you’re judged against your nearest challengers – and that’s Celtic.
“I’m not saying the games will determine who wins the league but everyone will be looking at them to see how far Rangers have progressed.”
● Durrant was speaking at the launch of The Kris Boyd Testimonial. For details of testimonial events, including a Sportsman’s Dinner on September 8, follow @boydyofficial.
Morelos is a threat and if you get the ball into him he’ll cause problems IAN DURRANT