Former Rangers star Kris Boyd has tipped Kemar Roofe to be the “main man” for the Gers this season – and admitted he was more impressed by Roofe’s goal against Livingston last weekend than his Europa League wonder-strike from his own half.
Roofe scored in the final moments of the 3-0 win over Livingston and Boyd thinks the fact the former Leeds star was “desperate” to score shows just how important he can be for Rangers.
The striker was “badly missed” against Malmo in midweek as Rangers slipped to a 2-1 first leg defeat and Boyd hopes Gerrard can keep Roofe fit this season with questions still surrounding Alfredo Morelos’ future.
“Kemar Roofe has scored from his own half — but that didn’t impress me as much as his six-yard tap-in last weekend,” Boyd told the Scottish Sun.
“Rangers were already 2-0 up against ten-man Livingston, it was stoppage time with the match all but over.
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“Roofe, though, showed me he was desperate to hit the net before the final whistle and I loved that.
“It wasn’t a spectacular goal. The ball was just bouncing around when he reacted to get it over the line.
“But there and then I thought to myself how he could be the main man for my old club this season.
“He was suspended for last week’s Champions League qualifier with Malmo and, for me, Roofe was badly missed.
“Cedric Itten started and Fashion Sakala went on midway through the second half.
“But Roofe has something about him those two just don’t have.
“A natural instinct to be where a striker needs to be to score goals.
“Who knows what’s going to happen with Alfredo Morelos who has only just returned from his holidays. But if I was Steven Gerrard, I’d be hoping Roofe can stay fit.”
Roofe is likely to be involved this afternoon when Rangers face Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership at Tannadice.
With the striker suspended again for the second leg of the Malmo clash, it would make sense for him to start today with one eye on bringing Morelos into the fold later on to get him some minutes under his belt.
The likes of Sakala and Itten in reserve also bolsters Gerrard’s selection choices against Dundee United but it is clear Roofe will have a massive role to play this season.
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