AS Rangers sought to bolster their slender one-goal advantage over Hibs, circulating possession while awaiting a realistic avenue towards goal, Alfredo Morelos gave a sudden bellow to alert James Tavernier.

With Rocky Bushiri having abdicated his left centre-back spot and his three defensive partners still holding the line, there was room to ghost in behind. Morelos’ finishing can be erratic and over-forceful when bearing down on the goalkeeper at times but a drive arrowed over the already committed Matt Macey was precise. The sprint to celebrate with the Copland matched the pace at which he zoomed across Ibrox all evening and has done so religiously under Giovanni van Bronckhorst. A player who looked a shell of his former self against the same opposition at Hampden under three months ago is starting to mirror the best form of his career.

His one shot on goal during that previous meeting with Hibs was a sluggish run off the shoulder that Macey gathered comfortably. The intensity and end product of yesterday’s similar opportunity is emblematic of his uplift.

Last night, balls fired into his feet stuck and offered an avenue through pressure while switches to the left were constant. Most importantly, any actions carried out in the midfield zone were matched with bursts into goalscoring areas at key moments, none more so than the vital second goal.

Speaking post-match about his centre-forward, Giovanni van Bronckhorst said: “We know he’s a threat in front of goal and he’s scored three in the two games he’s been back. Also, you can see we can play through him, especially when teams are putting a lot of pressure on our defence and he’s always available to connect with the midfield and receive the balls.”

READ MORE: Alfredo Morelos' Rangers showings demonstrate dropping deep was never his issue - Joshua Barrie

Van Bronckhorst was tasked with helping the 25-year-old to rediscover his best form and nine goals from 11 so far qualifies as success. The new regime hasn’t stripped his responsibility outside the area to catalyse the upturn; these nine goals have most commonly come during performances that have featured equally important link play to get the ball into dangerous areas.

And while the underlying numbers show more shots, touches in the opposition penalty area and a higher xG per 90, the number of passes Morelos is playing each game has also increased. 

Undoubtedly there has been tweaks and adaptations to assist change. However, most obviously he appears more engaged, more fired up and ready to lead.

When asked by the Rangers Review at his unveiling how he intended to get the best out of the striker van Bronckhorst concluded, “for me, it’s important to look them in the eyes and tell them what I think will be the best for them.”

Only the pair know how the following day's conversation played out. Based on the evidence perhaps the refresh came just when Morelos needed a new direction.

This past week has shown as good a response from the crushing Old Firm defeat as could be reasonably expected. Joe Aribo said the team looked back at actions that were ‘not acceptable’ and the intensity displayed in periods during the previous 180 minutes at Ibrox has been a welcome answer to the previous passivity.

Perhaps more glaringly, that 3-0 defeat showed at this moment in time Morelos is Rangers' most important player.

His goals and link-up will be needed more than ever over the next three months if the championship is to be brought back to Ibrox.