There are 100 reasons to celebrate for two of Rangers' key players. Both stand on the cusp of hitting that magic number for different reasons.
On Thursday afternoon Glen Kamara, if selected, will start his 100th Rangers game. Alfredo Morelos is three short of 100 goals for the club. In a week of massive importance, both hitting those numbers and helping Rangers to progress in Europe and get 3 points on Sunday, would be a massive lift to everyone.
Glen is a classy player and an absolute snip at £50k from Dundee.
The midfielder has an elegance on the ball and the brain to use it.
He does the simple things really well, if he needs to make a five-yard pass he will, he won’t try a twenty-yard pass just for the sake of it either.
It’s those little passes that make the difference.
If we look at Sunday’s game in Dingwall, then you can see how much of a difference those short passes made. He exchanged the ball with Steven Davis on multiple occasions which allowed them to quickly set a tempo.
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That ranged from short and side to side, to penetrating passes to the feet of Alfredo which then pulled the defence asunder and allowed others to move into spaces off it. It is no surprise to me that other players, such as Joe Aribo were able to flourish in the attacking third where we had lacked spark during his suspension absence.
Glen is a player that when he is in your team you don’t necessarily notice the subtle difference he makes. A worker that does so much ‘unseen’ good work, tracking runners, closing down space and then driving the team when required.
He makes other people’s jobs easier and as Rangers begin to click in the final third, as the manager alluded to in his media work, then is integral to that. It was also extremely interesting to see Michael Beale discuss Juninho Bacuna in a similar fashion, commenting that he believes he has a similar skillset to Glen.
The manager spoke glowingly of what Bacuna should bring to the team and having spoken of his desire to have two in each position, it got me speculating over whether they see Bacuna as exactly that, someone to switch with Glen Kamara. What would be exciting is if Bacuna could replicate what Kamara brings and suddenly we have those options on both sides of the midfield.
And then there’s Alfredo. Well what can I say about Alfredo? The clubs top scorer in European competition and a smile that everyone loves. Another goal at the weekend and he’s well and truly off and running for the new season. Make no mistake he is a vital cog in the machine and like Kamara becomes irreplaceable when he is not there.
From the very early strikes against Dunfermline and Hibs we saw glimpses of his capabilities which have grown into a love affair of epic proportions with our support.
But like every great love affair there has been huge ups and terrible downs. He’s had his fair share of red cards, he’s gone missing and had his attitude questioned more than once. Yet even with all that we haven’t got close to replacing him.
He has scored the big goals. He has scored spectacular strikes and he has fired goals that mattered. His contribution to last season’s title-winning season was immeasurable with vital contributions coming in a New Year spell that Rangers used to clinch the title.
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He has overcome many criticisms of his game, grotesque attacks in the media and by opposing fans. But yet he remains as defiant as ever. Would you bet against him hitting 100 this week? I certainly wouldn’t and arguably it’s made for his contribution.
Those magical European moments, from Porto to Feyenoord and everything in between. The trademark knee slide and downward point which has become a firm favourite, followed by the smile which we all love.
But he’s grown, it isn’t just goals, he’s now dropping deep and bringing others into play and that’s where Kamara comes in because he’s often the one finding him. Everyone had a role and a job to do in this side, a vital cog in the engine.
In a week that threatens to shape so much of the season ahead, wouldn’t it be wonderful if Alfredo and Glen hit those magical 100 numbers whilst helping the team to two huge results.
Both are terrific players for Rangers and have created a legacy with last season’s title, let’s hope they are ready to cement it further and celebrate a successful century of numbers for our club.
Glen and Alfredo to hit their 100 in the same week? I’m certainly not betting against it
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