ALFREDO Morelos is capable of becoming the first Rangers striker in a decade to score 30 goals in a season – but only if he improves his temperament.
That was the message from record Ibrox goalscorer Ally McCoist yesterday as he helped to launch the Kris Boyd Testimonial match at Rugby Park.
Morelos took his tally for the season to 14 with an injury-time strike in the Ladbrokes Premiership match against St Mirren in Paisley on Saturday.
The last Rangers player to break through the magical 30 mark in a single season was Boyd way back in the 2008/09 campaign when he netted 31 in all competitions.
McCoist is confident the current Rangers centre forward has the ability to match that impressive feat in the coming months.
But the Scot feels the Columbian, whose absence from the Betfred Cup semi-final against Aberdeen at Hampden last month cost his side dear, must improve his discipline in order to fulfil his potential.
“He’s got goals in him,” he said. “His goal at the weekend sums him up. I think that is his kind of finish. He lets the ball go through him and does the right thing by going across to the far side of the goalie.
“As I say, I think there are goals in him. I would like to see him enjoy his goals a bit more. I’d like to see him smile when he scores and be happy about it. But he can score.
“The Old Firm clubs should have a 25 to 30 goal striker. And Morelos has got the talent to be a 25 to 30 goal a season striker, no doubt about it. But he obviously has to keep himself fit and stay on the pitch.”
McCoist continued: “He picks up silly bookings, petulance. If he can just get that out of his game. You get guys with different make-ups, ones who argue with referees, fall out with centre-halves and all the rest.
“But he is no good to himself or his team if he is not playing. If he can keep himself fit and stay away from suspensions, then there is absolutely no doubt he could get 25 or 30 goals this season.
“I just think the discipline issue is something he needs to work on, because it was glaringly obvious that he was a massive loss in the semi-final.
“You can say what you like, but that was a really big loss. We’ll never know but Rangers certainly had enough of the ball that day to think they would have created one or two chances and he is the best finisher at the club.”
Meanwhile, McCoist believes Morelos and his Rangers team mates can get a result in their Europa League match with Spartak Moscow in Russia on Thursday night if they can reproduce their defensive display against Villarreal.
“I’m going over and I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “Without being brilliant, I thought Rangers should have won the last game. Again, in front of goal they struggled a little bit.
“This will be a test, but Rangers came through one in Villarreal really well. They will need that type of performance to get something in Moscow. They will need to defend well.
“They scored two really good goals in Villarreal, but they also defended fairly well and the goalkeeper made a couple of great saves. That will have to be the case again and make sure they take any chances that come their way. Opportunities are harder to come by in these games. If they could go to Moscow and not lose it will be another step forward.”
Ally McCoist was speaking at the launch of the Kris Boyd Testimonial Game at Rugby Park on Saturday, November 17. Kick off 1pm with tickets priced between £5 and £10. Buy online at www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk or call 01563 545310.
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