Alfredo Morelos’ Rangers rescue mission is ON as Gio van Bronckhorst gives Champions League injury update

Gio van Bronckhorst is praying Alfredo Morelos can ride to Rangers’ rescue as he confirmed the Ibrox talisman is in contention for next week’s do-or-die showdown with Union Saint-Gilloise.

The Ibrox side’s Champions League chances have been left hanging by a thread after ragged Rangers were blown away in Leuven by the Belgian shock troops. Gers were forced to start with summer signing Antonio Colak up front with Morelos still not back up to full speed after tearing a thigh muscle back in March.

John Souttar and Ryan Kent also both failed to make the plane to Belgium after picking up knocks against Livingston on Saturday. Van Bronckhorst, however, is hopeful Kent will be ready to play some part in next week’s salvage mission. And he expects to have his Colombian ace fit and firing too as Gers seek to over-turn their 2-0 deficit at Ibrox. “Yeah I think that’s realistic,” said the Dutchman when quizzed on whether Morelos would be fit enough to feature.

“He’s been training with us for quite some time and is getting better and sharper every day. We also had him in the UEFA list for this round so hopefully he will continue and will be there next week.”

It was an awful display from the Europa League finalists just 76 days on from their brush with immortality in Seville. It got off to a woeful start when Jon McLaughlin let home skipper Teddy Teuma’s rasping drive slip through his fingers.

A controversial penalty award allowed Dante Vanzeir to put the Union two-up in Flanders. But van Bronckhorst reckons his side have McLaughlin to thank for the fact they are still in the tie after he made a brave block to prevent Vanzeir killing off the third-qualifying round late on.

The Scotland squad keeper has been handed the gloves