THE goals that Alfredo Morelos has scored in the Premiership will ultimately prove futile for Rangers as they once again face up to the prospect of another unsuccessful campaign.
But every strike that Morelos has netted in the Europa League will carry a benefit no matter how far Steven Gerrard's side eventually go in the competition this season.
When it comes to potentially moving the Colombian on this summer, it will be his goals on the continent that get him a move, not the ones netted in the league or our cup competitions.
Hitting four against St Joseph's won't raise any eyebrows, but Morelos' two strikes against Midtjylland were a sign of things to come. His late winner that clinched group stage football as Legia Warsaw were beaten was one of the moments of the season for Rangers.
In Group G, he was unfortunate that the goal in Bern wasn't rewarded with a point but he earned Gerrard's side a share of the spoils in Porto and sent them on their way to victory over the Portuguese at Ibrox.
The brace in Feyenoord was Morelos at his best and his opener at home to Young Boys proved to be the strike that secured a knockout berth as the Light Blues continued their remarkable European run.
It has improved further since then for Gerrard's side but the same can't be said for Morelos.
He fired a blank against Braga and picked up the yellow card that got him suspended for the second leg. While Rangers were completing their great escape in Portugal, Morelos was back home in Cerete on the ill-fated trip that caused the latest chink in his relationship with his boss and team-mates.
The bond between Morelos and the Rangers support has undoubtedly been damaged since that incident as well. Many will give him one final chance at redemption, while others will happily offload him come the end of the season.
Whether Gerrard is in charge or not, it seems likely that Morelos will move on and the importance of the tie with Bayer Leverkusen cannot be underestimated for all concerned.
The 23-year-old finished the group stages as joint top scorer and he is still tied in the standings alongside Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Jota, Andraž Šporar and Daichi Kamada with six goals to his name.
His form was terrific, his stock was as high as his reputation. Not now, though.
Morelos hasn't scored in the league since Boxing Day and he has just one goal - away to Hamilton in the Scottish Cup - to his credit this year.
His application has again been called into question, while Gerrard must surely be fed up of talking about off-field issues involving the most high-profile player in Scottish football.
The Gers boss doesn't really have an option but to play Morelos against Bayer Leverkusen tomorrow night, though.
His game is perfectly suited to European action and he remains, despite his lacklustre recent showings, Rangers' most likely match winner.
Two impressive performances and another goal to his tally would certainly put Morelos back on the radar of potential suitors. He will know that too, so motivation shouldn't be an issue in the last 16 tie.
Every party would benefit and needs Morelos at his best against the Bundesliga giants. If these prove to be his final European games, he owes it to Rangers to go out in style.
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