Gio van Bronckhorst admits Alfredo Morelos Rangers axe call was difficult personally but a professional necessity

Gio van Bronckhorst admits it was a hard decision personally to axe Alfredo Morelos from the Rangers squad, but as a manager it was easier to put the needs of his team first.

The Colombian has been left out of the squad for Wednesday night's crunch Champions League playoff second leg clash with PSV Eindhoven. The striker was sent off against Hibs at the weekend just 15 minutes after coming off the bench. He caught Marijan Cabraja with a flailing arm and was dismissed, reducing the Gers to nine men at Easter Road, which the Hibees eventually punished with a stoppage time equaliser.

While that won't have helped his chances, it's understood Morelos has been dropped due to concerns over his attitude and fitness levels. Antonio Colak, who has scored three times in his last three games, has been leading the line for the Light Blues and that will continue against PSV, with the Croatian tasked with firing Rangers into the group stage.

And the Ibrox boss is fully focused on those he believes give him the best chance of achieving that objective. Van Bronckhorst has praised Colak's recent form and his impact since arriving in Glasgow.

"We have a lot of important games at the moment, it is for me as the manager to bring the players I think are ready to play," he said. "As a person, it was a hard decision but as a manager an easier one, we are here to represent our club and reach the Champions League.

"Colak has done really well. He has had a positive impact on the team with his performances and his goals."

Connor Goldson also talked up Colak, adding: "Colak has been brilliant, it is not easy to come into Rangers as the number 9. I know from playing against him the threat he has."

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