IT is a situation that Giovanni van Bronckhorst would have been relieved to have found himself in when he was searching for a solution amid his striker shortage last season.

But the issue the Rangers manager faces now will require just as much care and attention as he seeks to field a forward line that can fire Rangers to silverware success.

As the Dutchman set his sights on the Premiership title, the Scottish Cup and the Europa League in the final weeks of the campaign, he was left without a recognised and reliable operator to lead the line.

Losing Alfredo Morelos to injury in March arguably cost Rangers the greatest triumph in their history and the story of Seville could have had a very different ending if the Colombian had been fit and available for action.

Joe Aribo did what was asked of him in the circumstances, but the task was often a thankless one as the midfielder was shifted forward and operated as the focal point of the attack for several weeks at home and abroad.

Van Bronckhorst has referred to that situation a couple of times already this term. He knows how costly it was and that he must ensure, as far as is reasonably possible, that it does not happen again at Ibrox.

The signing of Antonio Colak was the first measure that was put in place ahead of the new season and the Croatian has certainly delivered in the weeks since he completed a protracted move from PAOK and clinched a £1.8million deal.

A run of four goals in as many games has been crucial for Rangers. The Croatian is a clear upgrade on Cedric Itten and his impact has been so profound that Van Bronckhorst now has a real headache when it comes to the position of Morelos.

When Morelos made a scoring return off the bench in the win over Kilmarnock a fortnight ago, it seemed certain he would earn a starting jersey sooner rather than later. But it was Colak who got the nod against Union Saint-Gilloise the following midweek and another strike was enough to keep him in the side for the visit of St Johnstone.

With Morelos deemed not fit enough or sharp enough to lead the line, Colak once again made the most of his opportunity and a third successive goal meant it was all-but impossible for Van Bronckhorst to drop him for the play-off round fixture with PSV Eindhoven. Once again, the 28-year-old delivered when he needed to.

It was a show of faith from Van Bronckhorst in Colak, yet it was also indicative on Morelos right now. Even in the closing stages, Van Bronckhorst felt Colak offered more - as 'he was fighting, he was putting on pressure, he was dangerous, he was strong' - than Morelos would have done off the bench.

Rangers would be a more potent team overall with a fit and firing Morelos through the middle but every goal that Colak scores, even when his all-round play is perhaps not as effective as that of his peer, makes it harder for him to be left out of the team.

The former Malmo striker does not posses the pace or physicality of Morelos. He is more of a penalty box poacher than a forward who will occupy defences on his own in the manner that Morelos has done so often during his Ibrox career.

Morelos is the better player, no question about that. But until Van Bronckhorst feels he is capable of performing as required, and as long as Colak continues to impress, the talisman of the team will continue to find it difficult to get a spot in the side.

Van Bronckhorst dismissed the possibility of fielding both strikers at the same time following the 4-0 victory over the Saints on Saturday. Unless the circumstances are desperate, he will not deviate from the tactical blueprint that sees a lone forward as the focal point and support coming from the lines behind.

For the Van Bronckhorst plan to work, he needs goals to come from all areas of the team and that is where the contribution of James Tavernier will be so important once again. With the deals for Malik Tillman and Tom Lawrence, the 47-year-old has sought to address the requirement for numbers from midfield.

Rangers will still rely on their centre-forward to be the main threat, though, and the competition between Colak and Morelos should pay individual and collective dividends over the course of the campaign.

Another option would be no bad thing, though. With a fortnight left of the transfer window, it could be said that there is still work to be done to finalise the Ibrox attack.

Colak and Morelos are the established two, but Van Bronckhorst needs no reminding of how quickly his options can be taken away from him and a third striker would minimise the risk.

Roofe is clearly capable when he plays, but he cannot be relied upon. He is not robust enough over the course of a campaign and his injury record overshadows his scoring rate.

In terms of Sakala, it is hard to see where he fits in and his lack of minutes tells its own story. Interest from Burnley was dismissed despite talk of a £3million fee but the Zambian must overcome several hurdles to get a game in the wide areas or through the middle.

Offloading either on terms that suit Rangers could be easier said than done and that will be the case when it comes, if it comes, to sourcing a replacement. If Rangers can get two out and bring one in, Van Bronckhorst's hand would be stronger overall.

It will be difficult to convince a forward in his prime to come and be third in the pecking order, but a youngster in need of exposure to European action or an older head, someone in the mould of Jermain Defoe, could be suitable profiles if Rangers decide to go back into the market.

Van Bronckhorst must ensure he isn't left short of strikers once again. His next issue will then be getting the best out of them to ensure that goals are rewarded with prizes this term.