THERE won’t be a striker out there who didn’t wince in sympathy for Alfredo Morelos as he struck an absolute sitter against the post in the closing stages of last weekend’s Old firm derby, but perhaps only Peter van Vossen will have empathised more than former Rangers forward Jonatan Johansson.
Morelos, after all, came to the club from HJK Helsinki last summer largely on the advice of the Finn, who is now an assistant head coach at the Ibrox club.
The tip has paid off in handsome style for Rangers, that horror miss apart, and Johansson has backed the young Colombian to put the episode behind him and respond in fine style.
“As a striker I knew what it is like to miss big chances and you have to take it on the chin,” said Johansson. “He was disappointed like everyone else, but it will make him a better player and stronger for the future. You have to leave it behind you and accept it.
“Alfredo is very strong in what he gives to the team. His movement is good, he is a goalscorer and he creates chances for others. Every game he gets into three or four positions to score and that’s what you want from your striker. As long as he keeps making those chances his goals will keep coming.
“You want to score against your big rivals in any league. I think the way he has played in the two games and the way he has created chances in them and caused problems shows how good he is. The goals unfortunately didn’t come but I’m sure they will. He has been on a long journey for such a young lad, but he is a tough boy.”
Johansson believes Morelos won’t go into his shell after the miss against Celtic, and although he is just 21, he believes the strength of his character will ensure that he goes on to be an even better player for the experience.
“People forget sometimes how young he is because he plays such a physical game,” he said. “In the last two or three years he has moved countries and had to learn new languages and play in different countries, so these have been big changes for him. Moving from Finland to Rangers is a huge step up. Missing chances will make him angry.
“No one at this club doubts what Alfredo can do. The fans seem to love the way he plays. Every career has highs and lows, so that is something that will make him stronger. He is such an important player for us.”
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