Mark Hateley was part of a three-pronged Rangers strike force that wreaked havoc with opposition defences. Little wonder then the man who was a regular fixture alongside Ally McCoist or Mo Johnston under Graeme Souness and Walter Smith believes current boss Michael Beale’s top priority has to be finding an attacker who will hit the back of the net 25 to 30 times a season.
Or as he puts it: “You can’t win the league when your right back’s the top scorer.” Hateley’s admiration for James Tavernier’s goal rate is obvious but with Alfredo Morelos gone and Beale pushing hard to bring Cremonese striker Cyriel Desser to the Ibrox, the former Rangers and England striker believes that getting the right man is crucial to overcoming Celtic next season.
And while he believes a fit Kemar Roofe would be a massive plus for the Gers boss, Hateley knows the former Leeds and Anderlecht striker’s wretched injury record means there are no guarantees.
Hateley said: “They need a goalscorer. Actually, you don’t need one. You don’t need two. You need three goalscorers. You need two that are in your starting 11 who can score more goals than your right back and your captain if you are going to have a chance of winning anything.