Ally McCoist has hailed Alfredo Morelos ahead of this weekend's League Cup final insisting Rangers can now rely on the Colombian again.

The 26-year-old has hit an impressive run of form since Michael Beale took over as manager during the World Cup break in November and he appears to be the Englishman's first-choice striker.

Antonio Colak has struggled with injuries but in recent weeks he has remained on the sidelines with Morelos the preferred choice.

McCoist has been publically critical of Morelos this season, especially when his fitness and attitude were a cause for concern for Giovanni van Bronckhorst, but the Ibrox legend can sense there has possibly been a mindset shift.

He told Grosvenor Sport: "I think it’s going to be a very open game. Anything can happen in the Old Firm, especially at Hampden.

"Alfredo Morelos has impressed me since Michael Beale has come into the fold, although I still think he could improve his fitness. I also think Rangers can rely on him more now."

Meanwhile, Michael Beale has stressed Viaplay Cup final victory against Celtic on Sunday would be only a staging post in his quest for bigger achievements with Rangers.

Since Beale took over as Gers boss in November he has won 13 and drawn one of his 14 games in charge but still the Light Blues remain nine points behind the Hoops at the top of the cinch Premiership.

The former QPR manager, who was assistant coach to Steven Gerrard during his time in the Rangers hot seat, has his first chance to win silverware as manager against Ange Postecoglou’s relentless reigning champions but he is also looking longer-term.

“We want to win the League Cup, we want to win all the cups in front of us, but that is not ultimately why I am here,” said Beale, who revealed “no real positive news” about injured trio Malik Tillman, John Lundstram and Ryan Jack.

“I am here to win the league and we are behind in that.

“Our form has been very good, their form has been very good as well so we have not been able to cut the points gap. There is still lots of football to be played.

“Of course we want to win the League Cup but there is bigger things in my mind after that and it is part of ticking a box in terms of where I ultimately want to take us.

“After this weekend, we have a lot of work to do regardless of the outcome.

“This is a one-off game, a cup final between two rivals and both teams will go head-to-head.

“But come Monday morning, whatever the outcome, I still have a big job to do.

“We have a number of contract situations in terms of where we want to take the club making us stronger moving forward.

“The focus on that will return on Monday morning regardless of the result this weekend.

“This weekend is about focusing on this game and making sure we do ourselves justice and come away in a good place, and a good place for us will obviously be winning the trophy.”