With the exit of Cedric Itten, while Rangers’ attacking options weren’t quite an embarrassment of riches, they’re certainly even more streamlined now!
Steven Gerrard now has two front men, in Alfredo Morelos and Fashion Sakala, with Kemar Roofe a versatile third option.
There is, however, no one else, beyond youth graduates. Jermain Defoe, it’s evident to see, is no longer part of the playing squad, so the three options up top is our lot probably till next summer.
It’s clear Sakala was a replacement for Itten, not Morelos. Once the Zambian was in, Itten’s days were numbered, not that they were exactly thriving in Glasgow as it was.
Many had assumed he would replace Morelos, but it looks like the club was gambling on Alfie remaining at Ibrox, and in the end, he comfortably did.
But unfortunately he’s the only player of his kind at Ibrox – Sakala is a much more quick, mobile, zippy forward who works space well and runs behind. He won’t hold the ball up, be a target man, bully defences and win many fouls. He won’t dominate the backline like Morelos can.
And Roofe is prolific for goals but isn’t really a striker – he’s a versatile forward, who can work all three channels and occupy all roles, but isn’t great in the air and isn’t the best for causing Morelos-like mayhem in defence.
Maybe one more man was needed, but equally, Morelos is a lot of striker and we’ve got him for a guaranteed 6 more months, likely more.
Are we healthy up top?
We’ve basically got three options there, all of whom can be regarded as starters – we hope Sakala picks up, gets his fitness sorted and gels into the team. We can’t judge him till he’s played more.
But on paper, while it’s not quite Salah Firminho and Mane, it isn’t bad at all.
With regards to striking options up front, we could have made a bid for Lawrence Shankland whilst at Dundee United but have missed out should this lad do well overseas if we were to bid for him in the future we then pay more for his services, feel we could have got him for a good price but now looks as though we have missed a good opportunity to buy
I would like to have seen Dwight Gale from Newcastle come to the Gers his goal scoring record is pretty decent reminds me of Jermain Defoe and certainly knows the way to goal.
Good to see we have kept the core of the team for our challenge for title 56 but have to say all the attention on other clubs unsettling our players by making false claims to buy them is not good or healthy for the team or club.
These sort of headlines from other clubs can de-motivate players for fears of giving 100% and picking up an injury when they look at the headlines and see there names been mentioned.
Ryan Kent an example by all the fabricated stories of Leeds United wanting to buy him for 10- 15 million then Borna Barisic been touted to go to Roma this is not good for the club and unsettles players, only my opinion.
That said we now have time to recover get players rested and injured players back ready for all challenges ahead.
It’s so good to be a Bear!
Who said that any club had made any false claims about any of our players. There had been plenty of media speculation and click bait but that is a long way from any actual interest.
PS: Shankland scored 11 goals in 36 games for Dundee United last season. Do you really think that is good enough to peak the interest of Rangers. Dwight Gayles stats for Newcastle are even worse.
There’s wee Algeria, buff came straight into side because of state of team at that time, but if Algeria keeps on in b team the way he’s started i cam see him coming through to first team and! and other youth strikers, if needed and January window if really needed! 👍
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