If one man at Ibrox will be absolutely fuming with how things have panned out for him at the club he thought was truly home, it’s Antonio Colak.
This Croatian German-born goal machine was second only to the phenomenal Erling Haaland at the start of the season for UK league top scorers, and it looked like Rangers had easily one of the best strikers we’ve ever seen in the shirt.
Under Giovanni van Bronckhorst Colak’s record at Ibrox was absolutely staggering:
3 goals in 4 qualifying matches in the Champions League, 11 in 15 in the league, including, at the 10th match, 10 goals. A pure 1 in 1 100% record which only the absolutely preposterous 13 in 10 from the Norwegian genius at Citeh could better.
This even included the ‘big three’ horror results of Celtic Napoli and Ajax – Colak might have hit a blank in these ones but he kept scoring thereafter, EVEN when the team was starting to play horribly.
But then he had a niggling injury, missing Gio’s final game, and by the time he was fit again, Colombian waster Alfredo Morelos was the apple in new manager Michael Beale’s eye, and Colak wasn’t wanted any more.
And yet his record under Beale? 2 goals and an assist in his three league starts. One goal in his two cup starts.
Remarkable fact of the day, Antonio Colak has NEVER scored a Rangers goal coming on as a sub. When he’s thrown on, he’s useless, he is off the pace and reading of the game. He is not an impact sub and cannot play that role. He has to start.
And yet, Michael Beale has absolutely wasted this player, this goal machine, choosing instead to pick heartless Morelos who once might have been a powerhouse up front but has been wantaway for years.
This is simply disgraceful.
We get it, the lad was injured for a few matches and that’s ok – but Michael Beale made no attempt to accommodate Colak or his goals once he came back, starting him in so few matches.
And yet hilariously in all 5 of his starts under Beale? 3 goals and an assist. Pro rata the best return in the league still.
Absolutely scandalous that he’s been dumped like this because he isn’t Colombian.
But is it any worse than picking Jon McLaughlin over Robby McCrorie?
Is there any wonder we’re sceptical now about Michael Beale?
Totally correct Beales way of playing didn’t suit Colak he preferred Morelos hold up , sometimes, and aggressive approach. Colak will probably be sold now .
I get the comments and it is fair to note that he has an excellent record. But he has had injury issues this season. I confess I do not know what his current state of fitness and match readiness is.
The fact is, if he doesn’t suit the way Beale wants to play he will be sold. I would keep him but I am not the manager. Beale has had enough of Morelos, so if Colak is fit he may get time before the end of the season to make his case.
Whatever happens to him, I will support Beale until proven wrong. Which will not be until summer buys are bedded in.
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