Russell Martin’s Shock Plan: Tipping Controversial Ex-Rangers Star Alfredo Morelos for Ibrox Return
In a move poised to stun European football, new Rangers head coach Russell Martin is reportedly plotting a sensational return for controversial former Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos. Appointed in June 2025, Martin is tasked with reviving Rangers’ fortunes and challenging Celtic’s Scottish Premiership dominance. Bringing back Morelos, whose explosive six-year stint at Ibrox ended in 2023, would be a bold and divisive decision, sending ripples through the football world.
Morelos, now 29, is currently playing for Independiente Medellín in Colombia after a brief spell with Santos in Brazil. His time at Rangers was a rollercoaster: the Colombian scored 124 goals in 269 appearances, becoming a fan favorite for his predatory instincts and passion. However, his tenure was marred by disciplinary issues, including seven red cards, and a high-profile fallout with manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, leading to his departure. Off-field controversies, such as reported attitude problems and weight concerns, further polarized fans. Some still chant his name, while others felt his inconsistency and temperament hindered the team.
Martin, renowned for his possession-based, high-pressing style developed at MK Dons, Swansea, and Southampton, sees Morelos as a potential focal point for his revamped attack. Sources suggest the 39-year-old manager believes Morelos, who remains in decent form with 12 goals in 20 matches for Independiente in 2025, can rediscover his peak under disciplined guidance. Martin, who briefly played for Rangers on loan in 2018, understands the club’s intense demands and reportedly views Morelos’s fiery personality as a way to ignite a squad that struggled for goals last season, finishing eight points behind Celtic.
The prospect of Morelos’s return has ignited fierce debate. Supporters like former teammate Ryan Kent praise Martin’s ability to instill a clear identity, citing his success in promoting Southampton in 2024. They argue Morelos’s physicality and goal-scoring nous could bolster Rangers’ chances in the 2025-26 Champions League qualifiers. Critics, however, including some Scottish pundits, warn that Morelos’s disciplinary record and past clashes with management could disrupt Martin’s high-pressing system. His 2023 exit, seen as a necessary reset, makes his potential return a risky gamble.
Across Europe, the move would signal Rangers’ ambition under their new American ownership, led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, who have injected £20 million into the club. Martin’s willingness to take on a controversial figure like Morelos aligns with his “brave” philosophy, both tactically and in squad management. Yet, the move could backfire, with Celtic fans and European rivals ready to exploit any misstep. As Martin prepares for pre-season, the football world watches to see if Morelos, once dubbed “El Bufalo,” can return to Ibrox and rediscover his spark—or if his comeback will reignite old tensions, threatening Rangers’ revival. The stakes are high, and Europe is watching.
