Defiant Barry Ferguson has hit back at criticism of Alfredo Morelos after he netted his century of goals for Rangers.
The Colombian scored his 100th goal for the club against St Mirren on Sunday, but was still called out by pundits for his overall performance.
Former Ibrox teammate Kris Boyd claimed Morelos had been "sloppy", while Craig Moore also claimed the player was overweight.
However, Ferguson insisted that he the striker would kick on from here and go on a scoring streak.
The former Rangers skipper also refuted any claims that Morelos was unfit, using examples of former teammates including Charlie Adam and Boyd.
Ferguson said: "I think maybe a lot of people thought he was going to be left out of the team, but the manager stuck by him.
"That was the correct decision, and he got that vital winner.
'We know he's not in the best of form but it was about getting that 100th goal, and I'm sure now over the coming games he will start to get on the score-sheet more.
"I think the manager has maybe sat him down and said I need more from you, because his performances over the past couple of weeks haven't been good enough.
"I've always said about Morelos, he is a top striker, he is just going through one of those stages in his career.
"Now the monkey is off his back, and he's got that 100th goal."
Responding to critics calling Morelos overweight, he added on the Go Radio Football Show: "I think he is just one of those players who is heavy-set.
"I played with Charlie Adam, a player who when you see him in a dressing room is a fit, fit man.
"I think Morelos is in that sort of category. I think people are saying he is overweight because of his lack of form, because he has not been scoring goals.
"Every player can get a bit fitter; I'm sure Steven Gerrard would want Morelos to get a bit fitter, but I don't think he's massively overweight.
'He carries a bit of timber, but I've played with a number of players who have carried a bit of timber, like Kris Boyd.
"People would say he's a bit heavy, but he knew where the back of the net was."
