Morelos - How it happened

[Vision 16,732]

It had become a routine trip for Jonatan Johansson.

As Finland's assistant manager, surveying the nation's top sides was simply part of the day job.

His remit was to keep tabs on homegrown talent but it was as 2016 drew to a close he first became aware of a young Colombian U-20 striker by the name Alfredo Morelos.

Plucked from obscurity in Medellin, his goals had fuelled HJK Helsinki's tilt at the Finnish title.

And although they eventually came up three points short, Johansson struggled to recall a player of this ilk in the Veikkausliiga.

After all, 30 goals in 43 appearances does tend to demand that kind of attention.

"I thought he was different from anything the Finnish league had before - strong, a good target man," Johansson said. "He was very - maybe arrogance is the wrong word - but he had that confidence where he just wanted to score goals."

Single-minded, bullish, maybe even a bit unorthodox at times - all traits now synonymous with the man known as "El Bufalo".

Johannson's association with the Finnish national team was short-lived but his scouting missions to the Telia 5G -areena were to prove hugely valuable - just not in the way he'd first imagined.

Over in Scotland, Rangers were on a quest of their own.

Mark Warburton's Ibrox reign had just ended and the club were set to complete the ill-fated appointment of Pedro Caixinha.

The Portuguese coach was a Scottish football novice and the addition of Johansson, a former Rangers striker, as assistant coach was seen as a shrewd move.

Johansson, with an extensive knowledge of Scottish football, was handed a lengthy list of players to watch but there was someone else, someone off the grid that stuck in his mind.

By this point, that all-action Colombian kid who'd caught his eye had picked up where he left off the previous season.

Admiring glances from around Europe were turning into firm offers and it was clear Morelos' time in Finland would soon be over.

Whoever was to convince HJK to part with their prized asset would have to move quickly, but in Johansson Rangers had a way in.

"Pedro was trying to reshape the squad and he gave me a lot of players to watch - different leagues, different types", he said.

"I felt that Alfredo fitted the profile perfectly. I had very good contacts with HJK, I knew the manager, players and the chief-executive.

"I think with every player there are risks and it's about minimising those risks.

"It's about doing as much research as possible, to see how he is as a player and speak to coaches and team-mates to get as many opinions on him as possible, find out what he's like as a person and everything else."

Johansson set about studying Morelos and became increasingly confident he'd be a star at Ibrox.

Martyn Waghorn had bagged 16 goals across all competitions in 2016/17 but Caixinha was never a fan, while Joe Garner's £1.2million move from Preston hadn't worked out.

Both men were out the door before long and reliable marksman was required.

Johansson said: "It's a profile you're looking for - everything comes into it, wage-wise, do you want to sell him on? Do you want to play him in different positions? Do you want to play him first striker or third striker?

"All of that comes into it but I felt the price was right and I knew he had a get-out clause.

"That's why I felt he was very good value for money.

"I found out what he was like and brought it to Pedro.

"I said, 'I think this player would be good, he fits all the boxes'. I told him of the other things we'd need to be wary of, the risks.

"Pedro liked him and took it from there."

The top table at Rangers were now aware of this South American livewire making waves in Northern Europe, but HJK's season was in to full swing and so was Morelos.

Another 17 goals in 19 games had convinced clubs to start putting money on the table.

An offer arrived from Spain that would likely have ticked several boxes for the frontman - there would be no language barrier and he'd be moving to a climate much more akin to his native Colombia.

But, in footballing terms at least, the player's camp felt Rangers was a better fit and and the man himself was impressed in conversations with the club.

The growing Spanish-speaking contingent at Ibrox certainly did no harm, either.

A source close to the player said: "At the time Alfredo signed for Rangers there was an offer from Spain, but we felt Rangers was a much better option for the player.

"We felt that the style of football in Scotland would suit him really well. He's a physical player, he works hard and obviously Rangers are a massive, massive club.

"That was one of the main factors. It wasn't like Rangers offered more money or anything like that. We felt from a footballing point of view that was the best option for him.

"He had a chat with the coaching staff, who obviously spoke some Spanish. He had a chat with them and was impressed with what they said.

"It definitely helped that there were Spanish speakers at the club."

Johansson, meanwhile, felt a move to Rangers was the right choice for a player who was outgrowing his current surroundings.

Morelos was still a gamble, it was acknowledged, but the coach had the backing of his superiors.

"I felt that he needed to get a new challenge from Finland because he was dominating that league," Johansson explained.

"It's the same with any young player, if they become too comfortable that's a risk - you have to challenge them.

"I felt the Scottish league was the next step, it would be perfect for him in a team that dominates possession in most games, like Rangers.

"Player profiling and player recruitment is a big, big area. There's a lot of money in transfers and you have to be careful to get the best out of everything.

"So much comes into it and at the end of the day there's still a risk, especially with young players.

"But I felt confident and obviously Pedro and Stewart Robertson felt the same."

Managing director Robertson hammered out an agreement with HJK and Johansson helped Morelos acquire a work permit.

The deal took little over a week to complete and on June 19, 2017, he became a Rangers player for the bargain price of just £1m.

Morelos finished his first season in Scotland as the club's joint top scorer alongside Josh Windass, helping himself to 18 goals.

But it's under Steven Gerrard, who will be thankful the club fended off interest from China, France and Turkey before his arrival, that Morelos has flourished.

He's already just three strikes shy of last season's tally and a first senior cap for Colombia has been just reward for his efforts.

A humble Johansson, now manager at Greenock Morton, is happy to have his name associated with one of the club's most astute signings in recent times, but he'd rather the credit went elsewhere.

He added: "I'm delighted for Alfredo and Rangers. He's a good lad and I have to give big credit to the current management team for really getting the best out of him.

"He's looking really sharp, fit, confident and hungry and that's down to the manager and his team.

"At the end of the day, recruitment is one part but you need to do a lot of work on the training pitch. I just want to say that's the most important thing at the end of the day.

"Obviously when you put your name to a player that's great so I'm very happy for everybody and I hope when he moves on it will be a good deal player and club."

 

[Big Al 55 9,281]

But JJ had nothing to do with it...that’s what we’re told on here.

[BridgeIsBlue 66,614]

Isn't this an old article? 

[broomloanjamie 256]

9 minutes ago, BridgeIsBlue said:

Isn't this an old article? 

Was in the record the day. Probs couldn’t find any sandcastle demolition jobs or ruined 80th’s to report on.

[Vision 16,732]

11 minutes ago, BridgeIsBlue said:

Isn't this an old article? 

Today's Record

Story's been updated

[WATP-FOREVER 5,231]

To cut a long story short - JJ motivated the transfer. 

Well done to JJ

[TMB 14,167]

“Pedro liked him and took it from there”

So he does get some credit?  It’s like not giving Walter credit for Cuellar because Bomber scouted him. 

[CoatbridgeBear 7,113]

1 hour ago, broomloanjamie said:

Was in the record the day. Probs couldn’t find any sandcastle demolition jobs or ruined 80th’s to report on.

  

[Rum Ham 2,060]

23 minutes ago, TMB said:

“Pedro liked him and took it from there”

So he does get some credit?  It’s like not giving Walter credit for Cuellar because Bomber scouted him. 

No managers not going to like the goal ratio Morelos had. 

 

[35 Yard Dangerman 3,478]

I'd say by far he's the best signing we have made throughout our return. Wasn't sure about him for wee spell but so glad he has made me look stupid for doubting him, love it when that happens actually.

[tannerall 25,935]

Rangers Finnish coach spots Finnish talent and gets him signed.

Anyone recall how many Scottish talents our Scottish coaches unearthed during last 10 years ? They even managed to miss Robertson even though he starred against us often enough and most of our fans knew he was a good un at the time.  

[35 Yard Dangerman 3,478]

1 minute ago, tannerall said:

Rangers Finnish coach spots Finnish talent and gets him signed.

Anyone recall how many Scottish talents our Scottish coaches unearthed during last 10 years ? They even managed to miss Robertson even though he starred against us often enough and most of our fans knew he was a good un at the time.  

We were always going to miss him. The pandemonium at the time just over shadowed everything else and no one at the club had the time or resources to spot him.

[BlueSuedeSambas 53,966]

15 minutes ago, 35 Yard Dangerman said:

We were always going to miss him. The pandemonium at the time just over shadowed everything else and no one at the club had the time or resources to spot him.

This might be BS but I know somebody who knows somebody who had some involvement at Auchenhowie around about that time and he said people at the club told McCoist about Robertson before we even played Queens Park but after playing them however many times McCoist said to the person that he felt that Robertson needed another season before he would be ready for a move to us.

[TheKingObv 10,647]

6 minutes ago, DBBTB said:

This might be BS but I know somebody who knows somebody who had some involvement at Auchenhowie around about that time and he said people at the club told McCoist about Robertson before we even played Queens Park but after playing them however many times McCoist said to the person that he felt that Robertson needed another season before he would be ready for a move to us.

Not surprised. But then again I know for a fact that Robertson wouldn't have signed for us.

[Jimfanciesthedude 24,611]

6 hours ago, DBBTB said:

This might be BS but I know somebody who knows somebody who had some involvement at Auchenhowie around about that time and he said people at the club told McCoist about Robertson before we even played Queens Park but after playing them however many times McCoist said to the person that he felt that Robertson needed another season before he would be ready for a move to us.

Feeble excuse from mccoist who just didnt know how to handle young players wanting and needing game time, hence the signing of stevie smith by the fucking clown

[j1mgg 3,766]

11 hours ago, Big Al II said:

But JJ had nothing to do with it...that’s what we’re told on here.

I have actually never seen someone say that, probably the complete opposite.

[35 Yard Dangerman 3,478]

8 hours ago, DBBTB said:

This might be BS but I know somebody who knows somebody who had some involvement at Auchenhowie around about that time and he said people at the club told McCoist about Robertson before we even played Queens Park but after playing them however many times McCoist said to the person that he felt that Robertson needed another season before he would be ready for a move to us.

Deary me. We really were in such bad condition from top to bottom durings those times. Still get the shudders whenever i think back.

[SeparateEntityMyArse 53,818]

9 hours ago, 35 Yard Dangerman said:

We were always going to miss him. The pandemonium at the time just over shadowed everything else and no one at the club had the time or resources to spot him.

He obviously wouldn't have fit into our Ajax footballing style.

 

[plumbGER 24,518]

Stewart Robertson deserves the most praise for talking Morelos into a move to Scotland ahead of a sunnier Spain where it appears he would have got more money and less language barriers.

Also for thrashing a suitable deal out with his club and agent.

[16BlueSherbert90 19,240]

That was an extremely long read.  

[Redwhiteandblue 3,330]

And all the wee dicks on here trying to give me abuse last year cause I said I wasn't worried that he was going through a baron spell last season... It was clear from day one that this boy had what it takes to be a star at this club. Was just a little rough round the edges which could be easily fixed. Easily the most valuable player at our club now. Can't wait to see him next season. 

[plumbGER 24,518]

Baron

Well he does play for the Queens 11 after all.

[magic8ball 27,901]

12 hours ago, tannerall said:

Rangers Finnish coach spots Finnish talent and gets him signed.

Anyone recall how many Scottish talents our Scottish coaches unearthed during last 10 years ? They even managed to miss Robertson even though he starred against us often enough and most of our fans knew he was a good un at the time.  

pretty sure the 18month signing embargo would have prevented us from going for Robertson 

[TMB 14,167]

13 hours ago, DBBTB said:

This might be BS but I know somebody who knows somebody who had some involvement at Auchenhowie around about that time and he said people at the club told McCoist about Robertson before we even played Queens Park but after playing them however many times McCoist said to the person that he felt that Robertson needed another season before he would be ready for a move to us.

This issue was discussed on ClydeSSB a few weeks back.  They said McCoist knew of Robertson but decided not to go for him because we already had Lee Wallace at the club.  

[ronniescu 2,985]

3 hours ago, plumbGER said:

Baron

Well he does play for the Queens 11 after all.

Not sure if Rwab wil get it.