Jason Cummings excited by Morelos partnership

The two started together for the first time in Sunday's win against Ayr United

Published 13th Feb 2018

Jason Cummings believes a partnership between himself and Alfredo Morelos could cause opposition defences nightmares - and is excited to play with the Colombian striker more.

The pair started together for the first time in Sunday's Scottish Cup fifth round tie against Ayr United at Somerset Park, with the strikers bagging three of the six goals in the 6-1 win, which set up a home quarter-final meeting with Falkirk.

After a glaring miss from a few yards out when Rangers were trailing to an early Alan Forrest goal, Morelos fired in the leveller before the break.

Cummings' clever flick in the 66th minute sparked a dominant spell which brought another from Morelos, a double from Josh Windass, and a first Gers goal for Jamie Murphy, on loan from Brighton.

Cummings, who scored his second Rangers goal since arriving on loan from Nottingham Forest in the recent transfer window, believes there is potential in a regular pairing with 21-year-old Morelos, signed last summer from HJK in Finland.

"He scored two and I got one against Ayr and Josh got a couple as well,'' said the 22-year-old.

So that's five goals between the front three.

"I can see us playing together and causing defenders problems.

"I can't see many defenders looking at us two up front and thinking they are going to have an easy game. It's exciting anyway.

"Sometimes partnerships just click. But often you need to get used to what they do.

"It doesn't help if they don't speak English as well. That makes it a wee bit harder.

"But I think he knows more than he lets on. I think he picks and chooses when he wants to listen.

"Hopefully, you get there after a few games.

"We weren't at our best in the first half.

"But I thought we were different class in the second half. I think that's the Rangers we are and are aiming to be more like.

"I was really happy to get my goal. I hadn't scored for a few games so I was (desperate) to get on the scoresheet.

"It's always good to get another one.''

Morelos passed up a glorious chance in the first half when Rangers were trailing, somehow managing to miss an open goal from a Greg Docherty pass.

Cummings empathised with his team-mate and claimed he showed his mettle in his response.

The former Hibernian striker said: "I've been there. I've missed ones similar to that in my career.

"It takes character to score two more goals after that. A lot of players would go in their shell.

"The fans were getting on their backs. But he's responded with two good goals.

"He got the last laugh.

"As a striker you are just hoping you get another chance to turn it around. An easy chance at that, because at the back of your mind you're thinking 'I don't want to do that again'.

"As I say, it takes character. It takes a lot to then score a couple more goals so fair play to him.'