Rangers star Antonio Colak sends defiant message to Michael Beale as he vows to ‘keep the no9 shirt’
MICHAEL BEALE is scouring the globe looking for a striker he can depend on.
Antonio Colak reckons he’s already got one.
The Croat hitman climbed off the bench to grab Rangers’ third and final goal in their 3-0 victory over a sluggish St Mirren.
It was a timely reminder for Beale with Alfredo Morelos nowhere to be seen, and on his way out of Ibrox this summer.
SunSport revealed earlier this week that Gers are tracking Troyes striker Ike Ugbo.
Honduran winger Luis Palma is also on the radar after starring for Greek side Aris.
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Other attacking players are sure to arrive but Colak, 29, insists he can be the man his boss is looking for. This was his first goal in two months and left him on 18 for the season, level with James Tavernier as Gers’ top scorer.
He said: “I waited for this moment and worked hard for it. I just wanted to get some minutes at the end of the season and to have the feeling to score again.
“I’m happy to join Tav as the top goalscorer at Rangers this season. We spoke about that at the end of the game. I’m happy with the performance and with my goal.
“I performed when Alfredo and Ryan Kent were here but there are always changes at a club.
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“I will keep the No 9 shirt and will always fight for my position. The main thing is to show your quality on the pitch.
“I know my qualities and think everyone can see I can score goals when I play. As a striker this is the thing that counts.
“I want to be here to help the team in every possible way I can. Then we will see what happens next season.
“With the transfer window coming up there will be competition for every spot. We’ll see what happens but the whole club is excited.”
Colak grabbed 11 goals by the first week in October after joining from Malmo, but a string of injuries left him unable to perform as well after Beale took over in November.
He added: “Injuries are part of the game. You always have to work hard and stay positive. I’ve never had a period like this in my career before.
“It’s unfortunate that it came, but I will work hard in the summer to be as well prepared as I can be and hopefully stay fit all next season.”
Beale claimed he couldn’t wait to say good riddance to this season after they finished it without a trophy.
But Colak is sure there are better times ahead next term and they can lift silverware.
He said: “Yes, 100 per cent. We had a good run over this last period and played good football.
“We don’t have any trophies but we have a lot of points, a lot of goals scored and didn’t concede that much.
“We have to set the standards high. We know now what counts to win trophies and we are working hard on that.”
Beale was delighted to see Colak get on the scoresheet, but admits he’s only had him firing on all cylinders once since he took over from Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
The Gers boss said: “Yeah, he needs to stay fit. Since I came in he was injured a couple of times and he’s not been able to move as well.
“In that position you want to be sharp and alert and at his best he is that — away to Hibs was the only time he’s been fully fit and he was fantastic.
“At other times we’ve had to look for alternatives and Fashion Sakala has had to play as a striker when he’s more of a wide player.
“He’s been hugely effective in my time here. There will be more forwards coming in. We’re losing Ryan and Alfredo.
“It’s so important we recruit and Antonio is also here. We want him to have a good pre-season.
“Last year going into the season as a fan looking on from the outside he was fantastic, but I’ve not seen that for different reasons.”
As expected, Robby McCrorie played in goal, and kept his fifth clean sheet in six appearances.
With veteran keeper Allan McGregor leaving Gers, Jack Butland is expected to arrive.
But Beale insists there’s no guarantee any new arrival will be automatically handed the No 1 spot.
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He added: “Robby’s done himself the world of good. I always thought he was destined to do big things next season.
“A new face will be in and it will be up to them to battle it out, but I’m pleased with Robby and for his family. He has been really patient.”
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