Former Ibrox striker gives his verdicts on the four Rangers forwards leading the line for Steven Gerrard's side

The run starts with the trip to St Johnstone tomorrow before meetings with Hibernian and St Mirren and the second Old Firm clash of the season as Rangers attempt to maintain their momentum in the title race.

The Gers have benefitted from goals coming from all areas of the team this term but in his forward stars - Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe, Cedric Itten and Jermain Defoe – Gerrard has options in terms of style, skill and experience as he looks to lead his side to silverware success.

John MacDonald has seen Rangers live throughout the course of the campaign courtesy of his role providing match statistics. And here the former Light Blues goal hero gives his verdict on each of Gerrard’s strikers so far this term.

ALFREDO MORELOS

Appearances: 22

Goals: 7

MacDonald said: Alfredo might not have scored in a while now, but I have been pleased with his performances and he has still been working hard. Every striker goes through these barren spells and I think he will be straight back in after missing the last two games through suspension.

I love him as a player, and he is a great wee guy. I don’t mind some of his antics and he wants to score goals and help his team-mates and that is all you can ask for.

Ally McCoist went through spells like this as well. Every striker has been through that period where the goals just aren’t coming for you, but you need to need to keep coming back for more and that is what he does.

I think he will be back scoring goals soon and you have to look beyond that and see what he does for the team in terms of his movement and drawing defenders out. That leaves space for others to get in behind and others are now getting the goals instead of him.

If he keeps playing that role that the manager is asking of him, that will help the team and Rangers will keep winning games. At the end of the day, that is the most important thing.

KEMAR ROOFE

Appearances: 17

Goals: 10

MacDonald said: He is a good player, a very good player. I was really impressed with him against Motherwell and he is the one that can really benefit when Morelos is dropping short or into different positions because his movement is so good.

He can come short, he can hold it up, he wants to turn defenders and he is good one-on-one. He is so sharp, he is quick and he certainly knows where the goal is as well.

I thought it was a fantastic performance from him at the weekend. Rangers were knocking the ball about and not getting anywhere at times, but Roofe kept going and he got the goals he deserved by making something out of situations that come his way.

I really like his game. He is a really clever player, he is always thinking and always moving and making himself difficult to pick up so defenders know they either have to pass him on or mark him man-for-man, but when you do that with him you can find yourself turned so quickly.

When he gets that chance to get a shot away, he has shown he can finish. Even if he doesn’t score, he could force a save or a block that leads to a chance for someone else.

He is an all-round striker. He can take it in, he can take people on, he has good feet and he is good in the air. There are not many weaknesses to his game and I have been really impressed with him so far.

CEDRIC ITTEN

Appearances: 23

Goals: 4

MacDonald said: Itten is a real worker and he looks like someone that is always willing to listen and learn. He is only going to get better and better for Rangers.

He is strong and has a bit more presence than the other strikers, but he has a nice touch and he is clever to bring other players into the game as well. I have liked what I have seen of him so far.

Given the strikers that we have just now, it has been hard for him at times. He will want to play every week, but the manager will be good with him and Cedric will know the important part he has to play this season.

Right now he is not the first name on the team-sheet, but it is a squad game these days and you saw that at the weekend when he comes off the bench, plays well and gets an important goal. That is the kind of guy you need, you want guys like Itten you can have faith in that they can go on and turn the game when you ask them to.

I’m sure it hasn’t been easy at times for him coming to a new club at a time like this but he seems to have settled well and all the new signings have gelled into the squad. That says a lot about the group there and the manager has options across the park given the depth overall these days.

JERMAIN DEFOE

Appearances: 10

Goals: 4

MacDonald said: He is a poacher, someone you can turn to if you need a goal and he will be frustrated that he doesn’t have more to his name this season. He is different in that he doesn’t want to come short and make the runs that the others do, he just plays in the box and scores goals when he gets chances.

Motherwell played that deep at the weekend that it made it hard for him but he had a couple of chances early doors. Once they scored, the game didn’t suit Jermain unfortunately.

But he will still score goals this season. If you have a chance one-on-one, he is the guy you would want to be there because more often than not he will score. He is still a class act.

The other strikers will watch him in training and can only learn from him. The manager demands high standards in training and Jermain will epitomise that so you can’t help but improve by being with someone like that.