Alfredo Morelos Rangers' fitness race for Champions League latest as Gio van Bronckhorst offers 'get stronger' verdict

Gio van Bronckhorst has backed Alfredo Morelos to get Ibrox bouncing for the do or die Champions League showdown with Union Saint-Gilloise.

The Colombian grabbed a goal from the bench in the 2-0 Premiership win against Killie yesterday on his return to the side after five months out with a thigh tear. Antonio Colak nabbed his first competitive strike in the victory and van Bronckhorst has a decision to make for Tuesday’s Euro clash with the Belgians.

Rangers should also have Ryan Kent back after missing the last week and the manager has a call to make up top. But van Bronckhorst knows Morelos will be a goal threat even if he’s not fully match fit – and he has the ability to lift the entire stadium with his presence. The Light Blues gaffer said: “It is his first minutes for Rangers after five months. If you think about it, it is a really long time and almost half a year.

"It was good to have him in the squad. You can see what he brings, not only to the squad but also the way the fans treated him when he came on. That is also what you have when he plays and he is always capable of scoring goals. For him, I think these first minutes of the season and after five months was very important and I am sure he will only get stronger with each game that he is going to be involved in.”

Van Bronckhorst revealed he should have Kent on board for the Belgium salvage mission. He said: “Ryan was too early for today but we are pushing hard to have him ready for Union.”

Rangers searched for a cutting edge at times against Killie but eventually found a way through. Van Bronckhorst said: “We had some players who played really well and gave the team what was needed.

“Steven Davis, it was his first start this season but you see still the