Fabio Cardoso fears Rangers will lose star striker Alfredo Morelos within a year.
The Portuguese defender and Colombian striker both arrived at Ibrox in 2017 as Pedro Caixinha signings.
While Cardoso only lasted 12 months, Morelos has gone on to be a fans’ favourite and a huge asset to new gaffer Steven Gerrard.
The centre-back, now at Santa Clara in Portugal’s top flight, is delighted that his friend is now a key man for the Ibrox side.
But he feels Morelos has ambitions to play in a bigger league and that Gerrard will struggle to keep him beyond this season.
Cardoso said: “It will be hard for Rangers to keep Alfredo for much longer.
“He’s done very well there, he’s a goal machine. He’s a physical player who has improved a lot in Scotland.
“He has worked hard to improve and be smarter on the pitch.
“But if I had to make a prediction, I’d say that Alfredo will move in the next year.”
Cardoso also insisted Gers skipper James Tavernier has been one of the best signings the club have ever made. He said: “Even when things didn’t go well for us, I knew the quality was there with Tavernier both in matches and in training.
“He’s a great captain for Rangers and I don’t know any right-back around who scores half the amount of goals that Tav does.
“He’s good at defending, good with the ball and scores goals so he’s fantastic.”
