FORMER Rangers striker Marco Negri has urged Alfredo Morelos to sign a contract extension at Ibrox - adding that playing for the Glasgow club will be a career high-point for the Colombian.

Morelos arrived in Scotland five years ago and has become a cult figure in Govan in that time, scoring over 100 goals and becoming the club's top scorer in Europe.

The centre-forward's contract expires in 12 months' time and there is speculation that Rangers may be tempted to cash in on the 26-year-old this summer rather than losing him for nothing in a year.

However, Negri - who famously scored an incredible 23 goals in his first 10 league games for the Glasgow giants - believes that Morelos should commit his future to the Ibrox side.

And the Italian reckons that if Morelos had been fit and available for the Europa League final, the forward could have had a telling impact against Eintracht Frankfurt.

“Looking back I can say I made a few mistakes, I have some regrets but a lot of joy and great memories," Negri told the Daily Record.

“Playing for Rangers was absolutely the highest point of my career - and I’m sure Alfredo will say the same when he finally retires.

“The club cannot afford to lose a big player like Morelos on a free transfer.

“But Alfredo has to realise what is the best for his development.

“Sometimes players can think other clubs are better.

“But if you are settled in a city, loved by millions of fans, get on with your team-mates and play for one of the most successful clubs in the world, I don’t think a striker can want more.

“I really hope Morelos will stay and deliver more goals and trophies for Rangers.

“I really like him. I think he was the man the team missed so much at the end of the season. Without him Rangers lost a lot of power up front.

“If Alfredo had been on the pitch, the Europa League final in Seville might have gone another way.”