“You saw a difference when Alfredo came on, in terms of energy, and not a positive change. We will need a focal point to the team.”

Michael Beale’s scathing assessment of Alfredo Morelos following the narrow win over Aberdeen on Sunday was one which spoke of a manager whose patience has well and truly run out with the enigmatic Colombian.

El Bufalo will depart Ibrox in the summer, bringing a six-year stay in Govan to an end but just what will his legacy be?

Since arriving from HJK Helsinki in the summer of 2017 as part of the ill-fated Pedro Caixinha spell, Morelos has been such a polarising figure both on and off the pitch.

This is someone who has dominated the back pages throughout his time despite never giving interviews. In the modern game where characters are few and far between, he has been box office.

For the £1m outlay he has repaid every penny and then some. 124 goals in 268 appearances and surpassing Ally McCoist as record European goalscorer is no mean feat.

At the peak of his powers, he was bulldozing his way past some of the meanest defences on the continent as Rangers restored their reputation in Europe. Yes, domestically he has never been prolific in front of goal but no one has led the line quite like he has.

Like numerous others this season, he has endured a year of failure and disappointment and sadly looks like a shadow of the player that the Rangers fans fell in love with.

Quite simply put, he isn’t deserving of a lucrative new contract based on what he has served up this term.

That being said, over the duration of his stay, he has provided numerous moments of sheer elation and euphoria. Goals against the likes of Legia Warsaw, Porto, Feyenoord and Borussia Dortmund will never be forgotten and you can’t help but feel we’re going to miss the famous knee slide.

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But all good things must come to an end as the saying goes and we must prepare for life without Alfredo Morelos. Michael Beale is well aware of the need to strengthen in the forward areas and he needs to recruit someone who can be relied upon to net consistently, something Morelos has struggled to do over the course of his time at the club.

There are understandably some who will be happy to see the back of the 26-year-old. His discipline issues have been a constant bugbear for many and there is a sense that perhaps he has outstayed his welcome.

From a club point of view, as much as he has proven to be value for money, it’s poor business practice not to recoup any sort of transfer fee and allowing a prized asset to walk out the door for nothing.

That aside, six years at any club is a long time in football, particularly for a South American playing in Scotland. You can’t begrudge Morelos for seeking a fresh challenge elsewhere and it may do him the world of good to escape the media glare and relentless attention that has been centred upon him from the moment he stepped foot in the country.

It has to take its toll both mentally and physically and it’s been evident for much of this season that Morelos looks every inch someone who is in need of a change of scenery.

Not many players leave Rangers to go on to bigger and better things and you can’t help but feel we may have enjoyed the best of Morelos but wherever he goes he does so with the best wishes of this writer.

He may not have earned legendary status but for many, Morelos has been the poster boy, particularly for young Rangers supporters who have been starved of heroes.

He’ll be fondly remembered for his contribution to the title-winning season, his rampaging displays in Europe and, of course, that cheeky face of pure joy when he was sticking the ball in the back of the opposition net.

Gracias por los recuerdos, Alfredo.