Rangers Champions League rivals Ajax to leave troubled star out of squad ahead of Amsterdam opener

Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder has revealed he is set to omit controversial playmaker Mohamed Ihattaren from his Champions League squad to face Rangers in the latest blow for the club. Rangers travel to Amsterdam next week for their first game in the group stage, where they were also drawn with Liverpool and Napoli.

Ajax have already been rocked by the £85 million departure of star man Antony to Manchester United and they will look to add replacements. But talented 20-year-old playmaker Ihattaren - who is on loan from Juventus - looks set to miss out as his bizarre career path took another twist.

The Dutchman joined Juventus at the start of last season and they immediately loaned him out to Sampdoria, but he never played for the Genoa club and went AWOL after being unsettled. After joining Ajax on a year-long loan in January, previous manager Erik ten Hag was furious at his condition after he was reportedly several pounds overweight. The current Manchester United boss said at the time: "If you can't run, it ends there."

He did eventually make his debut for Ajax before he sensationally stopped training and moved into hiding following reported threats from a criminal gang. After reports Ajax wanted him to work with a psychologist and that the rest of his teammates would refuse to play with him, he has now returned to the club. But they have no plans to include him in their squad for the Champions League.

Schreuder said: "From what I understand, there is another meeting between the player and the club this week. I don't think he will be registered for the Champions League. I am disappointed in that because he looked much better recently. When Ihattaren returns, like all Ajax players, he is welcome on the training field."