Why Alfredo Morelos faced Rangers axe as one man makes return to Ibrox squad

Giovanni van Bronckhorst revealed the quest for Champions League football helped him decide to leave Alfredo Morelos out of the Rangers squad to face PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.

The Gers boss omitted the Colombia striker for the second-leg tie of the play-off in Holland due to fitness levels and other concerns, including attitude.

Morelos, 26, who recently returned to the squad following a long spell on the sidelines following a thigh injury, was sent off 13 minutes after coming on as substitute in the 2-2 draw with Hibs at Easter Road on Saturday.

However, Van Bronckhorst insists it was “something that was building up” and was “a signal I had to make to Morelos and also to my team” as he spoke ahead of the game at the Philips Stadion, where the game will start with the sides tied 2-2 from the first leg at Ibrox.

Rangers look to take the final step towards the Champions League for the first time since the 2010-11 season.

“It is always the case that I bring players with me who are ready to play and for me that was the moment I didn’t include Morelos,” said Van Bronckhorst, who confirmed Glen Kamara was back in the squad but Kemar Roofe, Ben Davies and John Souttar remain out.

“As a person it was a hard decision.

“As a manager it was an easy one because we are here to represent our club and to get into the Champions League tomorrow evening.

“I made the decision myself. Of course we have a leader group and I always keep contact with them.

“We will wait and see what happens (going forward). The biggest factor in that is Alfredo himself.

“We will have to see how the coming days and weeks will go.

“He has to show me he wants to play for Rangers. I know he wants to play but to play for Rangers you have to have a certain