Alfredo Morelos rewrites his Rangers exit script as striker makes surprise claim before veiled Premiership dig

Bullish Alfredo Morelos has insisted leaving Rangers was HIS decision as he declared he was searching for a league that was "very competitive."

The striker spent six years at Ibrox after being recruited in Pedro Caixhinha's tenure before lasting through the entire reigns of Steven Gerrard and Gio van Bronckhorst. He was let go by Michael Beale in the summer - but not before scoring 124 goals and winning two major trophies including the 2020/21 Scottish Premiership title victory and helping the club reach the Europa League final.

However, after leaving the Light Blues, the free agent struggled to find a new club before struggling Brazilian giants Santos rolled the dice and snapped up the Colombian as they looked to avoid relegation from the top flight. But an injury-hampered season last term left Morelos unable to pitch in and help the survival bid - with Santos dropping to Serie B.

Ahead of the new league campaign, Morelos spoke to Gol Caracol and was quizzed on why he left Rangers. He declared that it was his decision to leave - despite not being offered a deal by then-boss Beale or the board. He went on to take a veiled jibe at the Premiership - insisting he was looking for more a more competitive level.

He responded to the Colombian outlet: “My departure from Rangers is because it is a football thing. I had many opportunities, offers in the market, but we ended up choosing Brazil because I wanted a league where soccer is very competitive. Anyone can beat anyone.”

He looked back fondly on his time at Ibrox adding: “Everything experienced at Rangers was the result of work. In the first season there were 18 goals, in the second there were 20, in the third there were 30, in the fourth there were 20, the fifth there