Rangers’ Alfredo Morelos dropped for Champions League playoff tie with PSV

The Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos has been omitted from the squad for their crucial Champions League play-off tie against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has reportedly dropped the Colombian striker for the second leg in Holland due to fitness levels and other concerns, including around the player’s attitude. The Rangers manager was supported in his decision by various senior players within the Gers squad after an open discussion.

The 26-year-old, who recently returned to the squad following a long spell on the sidelines with a thigh injury, was sent off 13 minutes after coming on as substitute in the costly 2-2 Premiership draw at Hibernian on Saturday. Talks over a new contract for the Colombian are also now thought to be on hold.

On his Instagram account, Morelos posted a cryptic message in Spanish which translated to: “The best warrior is not the one who always triumphs but the one who returns without fear to battle. Morelos captioned the post, which also featured an image of a clenched fist, with the words “miedo a dios,” or “fear of God”.

Rangers are looking to reach the Champions League group stages for the first time since the 2010-11 season, although last season’s Europa League finalists have a lot of work to do following a 2-2 draw in the first leg at Ibrox.

Van Bronckhorst will once again go with summer signing Antonio Colak as his main attacker in the Netherlands. The Croatia striker has scored four goals in his last five games and has kept Morelos on the bench.