KYLE LAFFERTY didn't have the best first impression of Alfredo Morelos. 

The Northern Irish striker was more frustrated than anything when he watched Morelos from afar during his early days at Rangers.

Lafferty was a Hearts player at the time and came to a nightmare judgement of the Colombian striker which wasn't changed until he became his team-mate.

It was only at that point where Lafferty realised Morelos' potential as he worked on a dramatic transformation in developing his game.

And Lafferty, who spent just one season with Rangers in his second spell at the club, reckons Morelos has now become the "complete player" despite his early fears he was only interested in shooting.

Lafferty explained to the Daily Record: “When Alfredo came to Rangers he was young and raw. He still is young.

“Watching games at first I would be pulling my hair out! He just always wanted to shoot.

“He had that instinct that he just wanted to shoot whenever he got the ball and no matter where he was in relation to the goal.

“But going in a year later as a team mate he was in transition and in recent years the transformation in his game has been extraordinary.

“He has come from a player who just wants to score goals to becoming basically the complete player."

Lafferty, currently with Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta, went on to make the bold claim that Morelos could go on to achieve legendary status at Ibrox.

Revealing his hope Morelos would extend his Ibrox stay long-term, Lafferty insisted he could be considered alongside icons Ally McCoist and Mark Hateley if he continued to perform for Rangers.

Detailing Morelos' development and potential future at Ibrox, Lafferty said: “He has added assists to his game, he had the hold-up aspect to his game already and he’s like a wee bull, nobody can get near him.

“Alfredo added more to his game and seeing him in training his finishing was better than I expected.

“He has now kicked on even more. He is getting goals with all types of finishes. Headers, left foot, right foot, first time shots.

“My eyes opened from what I saw of him as a supporter to what I saw training and working directly with him. He was completely different.

“Alfredo is an exceptional player and speaking as a Rangers fan I hope he stays at the club for a long time.

"He is worshipped by the supporters, rightly so. And he can go on and break records for the club. He already has. But he can break even more if he sticks around.

“He can go on to be a Rangers legend held in the same regard as Coisty, Hateley and other icons from down the years. I’m absolutely sure of it."