Macca says hitman Morelos is going nowhere in January
GARY McAllister insists Rangers won’t even consider selling striker Alfredo Morelos during the January transfer window.
The Colombian has been in superb form for Steven Gerrard’s side this term and leads the Ibrox scoring charts after an impressive first half of the campaign.
Morelos endured a frustrating evening at Easter Road in midweek as he spurned a series of chances and Rangers were held to a goalless draw by Hibs.
But assistant manager McAllister is confident the 22-year-old will show no ill-effects as he looks to finish the year on a high note in the matches with St Johnstone, Hibs and Celtic in the coming days.
McAllister said: “He’s up. Looking at his performance the other night I thought he was excellent.
“He just needed a goal. When you talk about a player leading the line, there were moments there when he was very impressive.
“It’s maybe a consequence of him being a bit stop-start in terms of being suspended, but we don’t have any fears about him, he’ll score goals.
“There is a particular one [player he reminds me of], but you would probably start laughing.
“No, he reminds me of quite a few South American strikers. He is very powerful and quick and needs very little back-lift on his execution.
“Some of the South American players who have been world greats are tough. Alfredo is tough. I’m a fan. How many goals has he got this season? 17? He is doing all right.
“I see Alfredo like that [streaky], as much as he has scored consistently.
“If we can continue as we are playing and keep knocking at the door, I can feel goals coming.
“There probably will be [interest in him]. But if we’re sat where we are in the table when we come to the end of the month, it can’t be a consideration at all.”
The two points dropped in Leith on Wednesday night cost Rangers top spot in the Premiership as they fell behind Old Firm rivals Celtic once again.
The Light Blues have a hat-trick of huge fixtures before the winter break as they attempt to finish the first half of the season in pole position in the title race.
But McAllister knows that is easier said than done.
He added: “I think it would be a massive boost [to be top going into the break]. But it’s not just the Old Firm, there is a more competitive look to the league as a whole.
“There are probably four or five teams who think they can affect the top of the table. I think that is a good thing.”