‘GOAL MACHINE’ LEAVES RANGERS STAR OJO IN AWE

WHILE goals are unquestionably the most valuable currency for any striker, Sheyi Ojo insists the true worth of Alfredo Morelos to Rangers extends well beyond an extraordinary strike rate.

The Colombian international raised his tally for the season to 24 with a clinical, headed double in Thursday evening’s 2-2 Europa League draw against Feyenoord.

That saw him surpass Henrik Larsson’s record of 12 European goals in a single campaign for a Scottish club and also made him the first-ever Rangers player to net in four consecutive continental matches.

Liverpool loanee Ojo is blown away by those numbers, yet claims they cannot tell the complete story of an all-round excellence that is so vital in terms of linking together attacks for Steven Gerrard’s side.

‘Alfredo is just a scoring machine,’ smiled Ojo. ‘Everybody is saying a lot about him and you understand why.

‘He scores so many goals and is proving his quality season after season. He’s in really good form and we are all happy with what he’s doing for himself and the team.

‘At this present moment, he is definitely one of the best strikers I have ever played with. He scores in almost every game he plays but it’s not just about his goals.

‘He is a team player as well. He brings so much to our play and that’s important. You can see the hunger in him to go and score goals. He’s been fantastic.’

Ojo now hopes to prove his own credentials in Glasgow. Rangers fans have expressed some frustration with inconsistencies in his performances, but the 22-year-old winger believes he has the mental strength to prevail.

‘I think it’s gone well for me so far but I’m always striving for me,’ said Ojo, who agreed a season-long from Liverpool in June. ‘I want to score more goals and provide assists. I’m hungry and I feel the players and staff here can see that.

‘I just try to block everything out (when the fans get frustrated). It’s very difficult to go through a game and not make a mistake, especially as an attacking player. You’re in the team to make things happen and there will be times when you lose the ball or have a shot blocked.

‘The main thing for players like me is to keep believing and keep focusing on affecting the game as much as I can.

‘I think I’ve developed already in my time at this club. Mentally, more than anything.

‘Having a strong mentality is massive in football. If you have the right mentality then anything is possible.’