Rangers' Jermain Defoe-Alfredo Morelos partnership needs time, says James McFadden

The Jermain Defoe and Alfredo Morelos striking partnership at Rangers needs time to grow and develop, says James McFadden.

Defoe signed for Rangers on loan in January and has scored two goals and two assists in just three games - while Morelos, who has operated as a lone striker for most of the season, has 12 goals and seven assists across 21 Scottish Premiership matches.

However, in the one game Rangers have played with the pair as main strikers, they lost 2-1 to Kilmarnock, prompting some fans to suggest the team should play with one striker and two attacking wide players for their crucial clash at Aberdeen on Wednesday - live on Sky Sports Football.

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When asked if he saw a Defoe-Morelos striking partnership developing, McFadden told Sky Sports News: "Yeah, I think so. Morelos is used to playing on his own and I think in order to get the best out of a partnership it needs time to grow.

"That's something Steven Gerrard is looking at. It won't happen overnight. They are good players and they will get an understanding [of each other] but that takes time.

"With Morelos, when he's on the pitch, he's a huge asset. He occupies defences, he works hard, he holds play up, he brings team-mates into play, he scores goals and he creates chances.

"So, for Rangers to have a chance of winning the game [at Aberdeen] he needs to stay on the pitch."

The trip to Aberdeen is crucial for Rangers after Celtic opened up a six-point gap at the top of the table with a 2-0 win at St Johnstone on Sunday, while the Dons could leapfrog Steven Gerrard's side into second with victory at Pittodrie.

McFadden, however, is not convinced it will be "season over" if one of the teams loses the match.

"It's going to be a massive game," he added. "A huge test for Rangers. Aberdeen have been bubbling along, under the radar and picking up points, now they have a chance to go above Rangers.

"The game is massive but I don't think it is season over for the loser. It just gives them a higher mountain to climb.

"Celtic are so far ahead. We saw in the Old Firm game that Rangers can match them on their day but it's the consistency level from Celtic that sets them apart.

"That's what both these teams [Rangers and Aberdeen] need to find."

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