Reigniting Morelos, a Goldson dilemma and the Patterson conundrum - Giovanni van Bronckhorst's Rangers inbox

Despite sitting top of the Scottish Premiership table, in a League Cup semi-final and with a winner takes all Europa League encounter on the horizon, there have been ongoing concerns that have plagued the champions since they returned to action in August.

Form has been patchy and miles away from the free-flowing alacrity of their 55th title win despite the generally solid positions they find themselves in.

Steven Gerrard’s sudden departure offers the chance to freshen up a group that had perhaps gone slightly stale after three and a half years of listening to the same message.

There are many areas that can be finessed. Here are five that will be high up the Dutchman's list of priorities.

Reigniting an out-of-sorts Alfredo Morelos

The one player who may benefit most from regime change at Ibrox could be El Bufalo. The Colombian has looked a shadow of the player we all know he is capable of.

He is no longer the menacing, bull in a china shop centre forward that rag-dolls defenders for fun.

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His role has been adapted so he is no longer the only attacking outlet Rangers possess and more of a spoke in the wheel. He has been expected to move away from his natural habitat playing off the shoulder of the central defenders and step into Bobby Firmino territory as a false nine - a role change that's seen mixed results. It remains to be seen if the new manager will look to use Morelos differently.

It’s not the only issue, of course. There have been accusations, including one from 355 goal Ibrox legend Ally McCoist, that he’s not in the leanest of conditions.

But the key issue remains his paltry goal return, having only netted four times on league duty this season, with a further three goals scored in European action and the League Cup.

His xG has worsened year on year. If we take Gerrard’s first season as the barometer, the Colombian posted an xG per 90 minutes of 0.60 in 2018/19. That decreased ever so slightly the following year to 0.59. It dropped even more in season 2020/21 to 0.54 and this season it’s fallen even further to 0.51.

It’s therefore clear he’s not reaching the threat levels we have seen in the past.

An underlying issue could be that he feels his time at Rangers is done. Speaking just prior to his departure to Aston Villa, Gerrard raised the issue of a misfiring Morelos during an interview by Sky Sports.

“There has been a lot of noise on the outside about Alfredo, certainly in the three and half years that I have been here. None of that noise has come from anyone at Rangers,” he said.

“I think Alfredo will make his decision. I think he’s made it clear where he wants to be long-term.

“But the reality is he’s got to perform at a level here for people to show an interest in him.

“For me we like working with him, we like the player, he scores goals.

“I said last week I think he can get to a better level from a personal point of view and then the goals will come.

“But in terms of decisions where he’ll be in the long-term it will be down to him and his representatives rather than us.”

Having seen his manager pack up and leave for the Premier League, it may be the kick up the backside Morelos needs to arrest his slide in form.

He’s made no secret he wants to play down south but there is very little chance of a move if his current form continues.

Perhaps van Bronckhorst is the man to get him back into the positions where he can batter defenders and score more goals like the Alfredo of old.

Finding a place in the team for Nathan Patterson

This is absolutely imperative. The 20-year-old has only featured six times in all competitions this season. For a player of his ability that simply isn’t enough.

His goal and assist in Scotland’s recent win over Moldova highlights just how special a talent Patterson is.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @billygilmourrr ➡️ @jmcginn7 ➡️ @np4tterson 💥#MDASCO pic.twitter.com/d1Xzk7Pk0G

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) November 14, 2021

Given his lack of game time, to play and contribute so much on the international stage gives you an inclination that Rangers have one of the most exciting players to come through the youth ranks in the modern era.

Unfortunately, it might not be easy to find him minutes. History tells us Giovanni van Bronckhorst is a firm believer in the 4-3-3 formation and therefore it seems unlikely he would change shape to enable Patterson and James Tavernier to play in the same team.

A recent substitute cameo in the left-back slot in the recent win over Ross County could be an indication of an avenue the new boss may wish to go down given the poor form of Borna Barisic and inconsistency at times of Calvin Bassey. However, it would be a radical move and you'd imagine the Croat will likely come good once the myriad fitness issues that have dogged his season pass.

While Gerrard and the previous coaching team failed to find a way of integrating Patterson into the team, the worry is van Bronckhorst may not get the time to appreciate his true potential given a host of big clubs sniffing about.

Everton had two bids knocked back in the summer, you can be sure they and other Premier League sides will be keen to test Rangers resolve in January. Then there is the potential pull of Spanish giants Atletico Madrid who are reportedly keeping tabs on Patterson.

Whether he remains a Rangers player or not, there is no question he is going to go on to have an exceptional career.

Getting the most out of Juninho Bacuna

As yet, Rangers have yet to really see the best of the Curacao midfielder since arriving from Huddersfield Town in the summer.

After a host of fleeting substitute appearances, Bacuna was given his first Premiership start in the 4-2 win over Ross County before the international break and justified his inclusion with a goal.

The former Groningen man is well known to van Bronckhorst having come up against his Feyenoord side on a few occasions and was even sent off in a 2-0 defeat at De Kuip in November 2017 when he was dismissed for a late challenge on Terence Kongolo – the pair would team up at the Terriers a short time later.

He offers Rangers that attacking intent and creativity from the centre of midfield that Glen Kamara, Ryan Jack and Steven Davis simply don’t. Of course, he has to earn his place in what is a fiercely competitive area of the pitch but if van Bronckhorst can get a tune out of him then he could prove to be a vital component going forward.

Addressing the Connor Goldson contract situation

With the vice-captain free to sign a pre-contract in January, the race is on to tie down Connor Goldson on a longer-term deal.

Given the length of time an offer has been on the table, there is an obvious impasse between the two parties. It remains to be seen if a deal can be agreed but you'd have to suggest it's now looking highly unlikely. Given Gerrard’s departure, it seems an ever stronger narrative that he may wish to follow suit and head off to pastures new down south.

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Given the strong relationship with the former manager, the bookies won't be taking bets on transfer speculation arising that links the big defender with a move to Villa in the weeks ahead. It's a raging certainty to come.

And given the disruptive nature of such noise, there may be a transfer decision to be made come January that Goldson’s future lies away from Ibrox sooner than he'd like. 

That said, given his leadership and importance to the team, it seems a better wager that van Bronckhorst will be doing everything in his power to persuade the 28-year-old to stay put for the longer term. 

Making full use of Jermain Defoe

There’s no question the 39-year-old has been as big a hit off the field as he has been on it since arriving from Bournemouth in January 2019.

The fact he has remained at Ibrox despite the departure of the coaching staff suggests he fancies sticking around a bit longer. He is still registered as a player although his appearances this season have been limited to a cameo at Tannadice earlier in the campaign.

Who knows, there may be a possibility we could see more of Defoe in a playing sense going forward. There have certainly been plenty of occasions this season when Rangers have toiled in front of goal and Defoe hasn’t been utilised.

If his playing days are numbered then having him as part of the coaching set up is vital. You can’t help but learn from one of the greatest strikers in the recent history of the game and van Bronckhorst will no surely find a way to make use of his many talents.