Ex-BBC pundit Noel Whelan has urged Rangers to "draw a line" under Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos' time at Ibrox.
The Lowdown: Pushed out
Finishing as Rangers' top scorer last season, Morelos produced the goods once more for the side adding a further seven assists to his 11-goal haul to take his direct attacking returns total to 18 across 26 Scottish Premiership games.
Fast forward to this season and the Colombian is struggling for game time, with Antonio Colak preferred up-top. In fairness, the latter has delivered the goods under former manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, registering 11 goals in 14 Scottish Premiership games to cement his somewhat seamless transition as Rangers' starting number nine.
Morelos has made just one start in the league as a result, with the 26-year-old out of contract next summer.
The Latest: Whelan's comments...
Pundit Whelan has urged the Glasgow giants to "draw a line" under Morelos' time in Scotland and look elsewhere. Speaking to Football Insider, he said:
“We’ve heard whsipers about Morelos. Not just this season but for years now.
“I think Rangers have got to draw a line under him and look elsewhere.
“He’s been a great goalscorer and a massive part of their recent history. But there’s all this controversy over a new contract, and the noises coming out are not positive.
“It’s time to get some clarity on this. If he doesn’t want to be there then you’ve got to move him on quickly.
“We’ve had this season after season. It must be really draining for the Rangers players and fans.
“It’s not healthy. The new manager has got to come with some ideas about how you replace a player like him and get it done quickly.”
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The Verdict: New manager to make final call?
Amidst Whelan's claims of "whispers" around Morelos, the pundit would have been spot on if Van Bronckhorst had stayed, and Colak was fit.
Yet, the former has been relieved of his duties at Ibrox, and the latter is still recovering from a muscle injury sustained against Hearts. As such, Morelos' fortunes could change with a new manager and a chance to reclaim his starting role.
The forward may well be best sticking around in Glasgow for now, with a chance to work under a new manager, however, Van Bronckhorst's successor should be the one to make the final decision.