Glasgow Rangers finally ended their Ibrox hoodoo over the weekend as they scored four goals without reply to secure all three points.
Remarkably, it was only the second time Rangers had kept a clean sheet under interim boss Barry Ferguson. Improving the defence in the summer will be a priority for the incoming manager.
For those deployed at the opposite end of the pitch on Sunday, it was more a case of feast rather than famine.
Vaclav Cerny opened the scoring for Rangers and ended the game with a brace, while Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane also got on the scoresheet during the comprehensive 4-0 win.
If only performances like this were commonplace, perhaps the Gers would be in a much better position.
Cerny looks set to return to his parent club when the season comes to an end, leaving a big gap for the incoming manager to fill.
Despite Dessers’ goal tally this season – 26 in 53 matches – his performances have flattered to deceive since he moved to Glasgow.
Igamane’s arrival has arguably been one of the stories of the season. A young, unknown striker securing a life-changing move who looked like one for the future. Fast-forward nearly 12 months later and the African sensation has scored 16 goals in all competitions.
His style of play is reminiscent of a certain Alfredo Morelos, with fewer disciplinary issues. How the new manager could do with someone like him next season.
How good Alfredo Morelos was at Rangers
There is no doubt that the enigmatic Colombian has been one of the club’s finest signings in its recent history.
Indeed, he cost a mere £1m from Finnish side HJK Helsinki in the summer of 2017 after scoring 46 goals in just 62 games for the club. It was a risk, but one the club had to take. It didn’t work out too badly in the end.
A return of 18 goals throughout his first season in Glasgow was certainly enough to silence the doubters and the £1m fee turned out to be a wonderful bargain.
Steven Gerrard managed to get the most out of Morelos, especially as he scored 30 goals during the Englishman’s maiden season in charge.
Under the former Liverpool captain, Morelos matured as a player. During his first two years, he was content playing in the box and displaying an impressive clinical nature.
As time went on, the striker was able to drop deep in order to link play with the midfield and this worked out better for the team, even though it was detrimental to his overall goal tally.
For example, he scored ‘just’ 17 goals during the 2020/21 season, but the club won the Premiership title after going 38 games unbeaten.
Although he left for nothing in the summer of 2023, Morelos ensured he left a lasting legacy at Ibrox. He is currently the club’s top scorer in European competition, having netted 29 goals across 63 games, overtaking a certain Ally McCoist in 2020.
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
2022/23
45
12
7
2021/22
42
18
8
2020/21
44
17
13
2019/20
47
29
9
2018/19
48
30
12
2017/18
43
18
8
This summer, the Glasgow side will be bolstering their squad when the window opens. Recently, news has emerged that the club are targeting a young striker who seems destined for the top.
Rangers could sign Morelos 2.0
According to the Scottish Sun, Rangers have sent scouts to watch highly-rated Cypriot striker Evagoras Charalambous in action for Anorthosis Famagusta.
They have seen him score in all three games that he was being monitored in, and it looks as though the 49ers Enterprises will be keen on making a move for the teenager.
German side FC Kaiserslautern have been credited with an interest in the player of late, while even Brighton and Hove Albion were keeping tabs on him too, showing how much potential he really has.
A move could repeat the club’s Igamane masterclass. Signing a talented player for next to nothing who then goes on to sparkle in Scotland.
Given his impressive abilities in front of goal, especially at such a tender age, perhaps the Light Blues could be signing another Morelos by sealing a deal for Charalambous this summer.
Why Evagoras Charalambous could be the next Morelos
If Dessers goes this summer, or even Igamane given reported interest in him, the club will need to sign another striker or two.
Charalambous may have only made his senior debut for Famagusta at the end of last season, but since been given more responsibility, the 19-year-old has shone.
Indeed, across just 14 club matches this term, the teenager has scored five goals and grabbed two assists. In his previous four games in the league’s relegation group, he has netted four goals.
Not only does he have an incredible goal conversion percentage of 38% in the Cypriot top flight, he also succeeds with 60% of his dribble attempts, scores once every 170 minutes and wins 3.3 total duels per game.
Given the fact that he has featured just ten times in this competition, these statistics are certainly impressive. Furthermore, he is only going to improve as time goes on, whether that is in Cyprus or Scotland.
Amid the reported interest from German, reporter Florian Plettenberg praised the young striker last month, noting that “Charalambous is regarded as one of the top striker talents in Cyprus. PAOK and several Spanish clubs are also interested. Thanks to a clause in his contract, he can leave Anorthosis this summer for just €10,000 (£8,000).”
If this fee is correct, then the Gers would be securing a stunning talent who has plenty of potential for next to nothing, just as they did with Morelos.
Regardless of who comes in to manage Rangers this summer, this is a move the board should be acting swiftly on right now.
It may be a gamble, but for the price, it is surely one that is worth taking. Just look at what Morelos achieved in Glasgow.
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