Rangers manager Michael Beale believes Alfredo Morelos will be fit to face Celtic

Rangers manager Michael Beale thinks Alfredo Morelos is likely to be fit to face Celtic in the derby at Ibrox on Monday.

The Colombian was forced to come off the pitch during the 3-0 win over Motherwell at the weekend with a tight hamstring and Beale was concerned that he would be ruled out of the crunch fixture against title rivals Celtic.

However, the manager was cautiously optimistic when he gave an update at his pre-match media conference.

With forwards Antonio Colak and Kemar Roofe back in the squad after their own injury lay-offs, Beale looks likely to have decisions to make over who who will lead the line as Rangers attempt to close the nine-point gap at the top of the table.

“Alfredo came in yesterday and he felt better,” the manager said. “Today he is on second day recovery.

“The team will train again tomorrow and as far as I can see at this moment in time he will be available.

“Antonio will be available as well. Kemar will be touch and go because he has done slightly less. He will definitely be available if Alfredo isn’t.”

Beale has guided his side to victory in all four of his Premiership games in charge but knows that Celtic represent a different challenge.

“This is the sternest test, they are the champions,” he said.

“Winning this game doesn’t make everything rosy. The result needs to be the same as the last four. The performance, whatever it takes to get it, as long as the result is the same I’ll be happy.

“We don’t have the rhythm that Celtic have right now. That’s a fact, it’s not an excuse.

All the form, all the consistency, all the continuity is in the other camp but that’s fine, two teams play the game and I’m looking forward to it.

“They can be vulnerable, like any team. It’s important my team focus on that and we play to our level and if we do the game will be close.

“If we don’t it won’t be.”