JJ’S CALL TO SWOOP FOR MORELOS PAID OFF BIG STYLE
IT’S five years since Jonatan Johansson persuaded Rangers to take a punt on Alfredo Morelos. Appointed as an assistant coach to Pedro Caixinha in 2017, the Finn’s great legacy was the piece of recruitment work that unearthed a powerful centre-forward who remains the club’s most potent goalscorer.
It was during his work with the Finnish national team that Johansson first spotted a stocky Colombian kid rag-dolling Scandinavian defences and bludgeoning shots past unsuspecting goalkeepers.
Morelos was subsequently brought to Ibrox from HJK Helsinki for £1.1million.
‘I remember watching Alfredo those first few times,’ says Johansson. ‘I knew HJK’s chief executive Aki (Riihilati) so I’d go to the games and Alfredo immediately caught my eye.
‘He was very raw but even at that age he was so strong and game. He had that positive arrogance on the pitch and always demanded the ball.
‘He could really strike it with either foot. He has improved massively since joining Rangers. Tactically, he is much better, playing with good players in so many big games has brought him on.
‘The coaches at Ibrox have worked with him a lot on his movement, you can see that. It’s pleasing to see that he keeps producing for Rangers because I played a part in bringing him over.
‘Of course, there’s always a feeling it means more because I recommended him. I wanted him to do well and my research, combined with the club’s scouting, gave us belief it would work.
‘I enjoyed coaching him but I didn’t have more of a relationship with him than any other player.’
As constant as the goals and histrionics of Morelos has been the narrative that the now 25-year-old is bound to leave the club sooner rather than later.
Every few months a translation of an interview, perhaps given to Colombian radio, crosses the Atlantic stating his desire to take on a challenge in a new league. Recalled by his national team a few days ago, we may well be treated to another during the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Yet, after five years, the striker is not only still at Ibrox but a central player for new manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst and the newly-crowned cinch Premiership Player of the Month.
While the club’s decision not to accept an offer in the region of £16million from Lille back in 2020 still looks like financial madness, the forward did play a mature role in last season’s title-winning success and has recovered from an early-season form dip to flourish under Van
Bronckhorst.
Asked if he is surprised that
Morelos remains in Glasgow,
Johansson laughs: ‘Nothing surprises me! I am a Rangers fan so it’s great to see he is still there. He is great for the team and he has had so much success, so I think everybody wants to keep him at the club as long as possible.
‘Strikers are always going to be linked and connected to other clubs when they’re scoring goals.
‘Almost since Alfredo arrived there has been speculation. But he looks more settled now and I think he has matured with age.
‘He is a family man now as I understand it, so those things help too. He looks settled. He has a new manager and the club has started winning trophies again.
‘There is no need to want to leave Rangers yet, but you have to be realistic and say that eventually it will happen.
‘Everybody has their price. Nothing lasts forever in football.’