NOT FOR the first time this season Rangers failed to kill off the opposition to their cost as they threw away two points at home to Hearts.
Alfredo Morelos was guilty of missing glaring opportunities in front of goal as his slow start to the season continued.
The Colombian has scored just twice in the opening three months in the league, those numbers are simply not good enough and nowhere near the conversion levels we all know he is capable of.
When asked about his current form following the 1-1 stalemate with the Jambos, Light Blues boss Steven Gerrard admitted he’s not performing.
“I don’t think he’s at his best,” said Gerrard. “But he’s still getting into the areas and he’s still getting chances. He must have had four or five.
“We need to maybe sharpen him up and get him to that next level and I’m sure the goals will come. But he’s certainly not at his outstanding best, that’s for sure."
Gerrard added: “I don’t think it’s confidence. I think it’s that little bit of quality that’s needed. We know we’ve got the talent there. We know we’ve got the ability. Players like (Kemar) Roofe last year scored constant goals, and Morelos too.
“Maybe two or three of them need to be that extra yard sharper when the chances come. Need to be that little bit more ruthless, that little bit more selfish when they come, just to kill teams off.”
Gerrard is right when stating two or three of his forwards need to sharpen up. Morelos isn’t solely to blame, of course, and the supporting cast of Kemar Roofe, Ianis Hagi, Scott Wright, Ryan Kent, Fashion Sakala and Joe Aribo have mustered a paltry eight goals between them in nine Premiership games.
The champions’ failure to put teams away is costing them. The longer it continues the more a closer title race than we all previously thought seems likely.
It will be a major concern for Gerrard and the coaching team at Ibrox and, given there is still two months of the season to play before the January transfer window, it’s an area of the pitch that has to improve quickly.
There is one man who has barely featured this season. One man you would bet your mortgage on converting at least one of the chances afforded to Morelos on Saturday.
Is it time for Jermain Defoe to dust off the boots and return to action?
READ MORE: Rangers manager Steven Gerrard makes 'selfish' call to Alfredo Morelos and his strikers
The 39-year-old has only played eight minutes of football this season - when he came on as a substitute as Rangers chased an equaliser in the 1-0 defeat to Dundee United at Tannadice.
He’s not been seen in a playing sense since but, given the lack of potency in front of goal, it seems Rangers might need him.
Despite his elder years, he is arguably still the best finisher in the country. Even at 50 per cent fitness, you would still back him to put away some of the gilt-edged chances that the champions have squandered this season.
There has been no official word from Rangers that he’s concentrating more on the coaching role he was given in June so it begs the question what is preventing him from at least being named on the bench?
After confirming his role as a coach, Gerrard said he would still be considered for selection.
“He has shown this season (2020-21), what an asset he can still be for us on the pitch," Gerrard said. "I won’t be afraid to use him when necessary.”
As we can see in the diagram above, his xG during the invincible league campaign was impressive, he netted four times, over-achieving his xG of 2.66.
Some of his goals last season were world-class. His 300th career strike against Livingston was only bettered by Kemar Roofe’s outlandish effort against Standard Liege as the goal of the season while his finish against Celtic in the 4-1 win was sublime.
They often say with strikers they never lose that killer instinct in front of goal - just ask Ally McCoist - and Defoe is someone who possesses that same thirst for goals.
With just 15 goals scored in the league this campaign, it’s evidently clear Rangers need someone to step up to the plate. Defoe may just be the man to deliver.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here