RANGERS legend Brian Laudrup believes his former club made a bold decision to knock back a big money bid for Alredo Morelos in the summer – and are now reaping the rewards.

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Morelos played one of his finest games in a Rangers shirt last week in his side’s 5-2 win over Royal Antwerp. That performance bookended a remarkable contribution over the two legs in which he was directly involved in eight of the nine goals scored by Steven Gerrard’s men in their 9-5 win over the two legs.

Performances on the biggest stage in Europe seem to bring the best out of the Columbian and Laudrup thinks it is his performances in the Europa League and not his lower scoring season domestically that could see him move for big money in the summer.

Laudrup wrote in the Daily Mail: "He looks ready to drive Rangers over the finishing line in the Premiership and spearhead their push to go further in the Europa League.

"I don't know what might then happen with him in terms of a possible transfer this summer. That will be up to Rangers. And the market.

"But if Morelos is being driven on by a desire to make sure he goes out on a high and is remembered as an excellent striker, then you know what? That's more than fine by me. He deserves that kind of legacy.

"Of course, there have been points when he's been a nightmare to manage. The suspensions he has incurred have been costly.

"But he has delivered the goods for the club many more times than he has let them down. And his goals and performances in Europe are right at the top of his achievements.”

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Morelos was the subject of a bid from French side Lille in the summer, but Rangers chose to hold onto the man they brought to the club in 2017.

"Rangers took the decision to keep Morelos last summer after Lille's protracted pursuit didn't end in a deal,” Laudrup continued. “I recall the French club's president claiming they had offered £16million.

"You could say there was a risk attached to turning down that kind of money and Gerrard spoke at one point about the player's head being turned. His season didn't get off to the greatest of starts.

"But look at it now. Seven points away from the Premiership title and two games against Slavia Prague for a place in the last eight of the Europa League.

Glasgow Times:

"That's history-making stuff with Morelos at the heart of it.

"The financial aspect can also stack up again. Because performances of the type he produced against Antwerp are exactly what will bring big money back to the table.

"All the eyes of interested clubs in bigger, richer leagues will be focused on continental competition at this part of the season.

"Morelos could be playing fantastically well in Scotland and people at those clubs would still question whether he could take the next step. By shining in the Europa League, the 24-year-old has shown he has what it takes. And that argument becomes even more convincing if he can do it again in the last 16 or the quarter-finals.

"But strikers who are so effective in UEFA competitions will always carry a good price tag.

"And if Rangers could bank the kind of money they want for Morelos then it would be superb business.

"How they would then go about replacing him is another matter and a debate for another day."