Rangers have dropped star striker Alfredo Morelos on the eve of the club’s Champions League second leg with PSV Eindhoven.
The Colombian forward is recovering from a five month injury lay off with fitness and attitude issues at the forefront of the reasons why the 26-year-old is not travelling to the Netherlands.
Sky Sports broke the news this afternoon and since then the story has been covered by a range of journalists and publications.
The broadcaster initially claimed that Rangers had not taken the decision lightly, pointing to issues with the player’s fitness and attitude at this stage of the season.
Interestingly, the decision was made after Giovanni van Bronckhorst consulted several senior players within the Ibrox dressing room, an ominous suggestion that the player’s teammates are fed up with the striker’s approach.
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With claims that agreement within the leadership group was unanimous, it suggests the likes of James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Scott Arfield, Steven Davis and Allan McGregor all agree with van Bronckhorst.
This comes after Alfredo Morelos was sent off in the 2-2 draw with Hibs at the weekend, with this not believed to be the sole reason behind the decision.
Alfredo Morelos faces long road back at Rangers
The Sky Sports report is quick to reiterate that this does not mean that Alfredo Morelos’ time in Glasgow is up – although talks over a new deal have stalled – with the striker needing to show more commitment before he can get back into the team.
The story has been confirmed by the presence of reporter Gordon Duncan at the Rangers Training Centre with everyone awaiting Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s PSV presser with anticipation.
Given Alfredo Morelos is the Ibrox club’s greatest ever European goalscorer, it’s quite the statement to leave him out of the Rangers squad to face PSV.
The fact other players are involved is certainly worrying but with a reported £40m on the line for Champions League qualification, it proves the gravity of the situation.
That Rangers would rather have Morelos sat at home than in the squad for such a monumental match speaks volumes and it’s hard to see how the striker works his way back from here.
It’s strong management from Giovanni van Bronckhorst but he’s gambling on a backlash if things don’t go right in Eindhoven this week.
Rangers are seemingly adamant this doesn’t have to be the end, but from the outside looking in it appears Morelos has a hell of a long way back from here.
The striker has since broken his silence on the situation with a message he uploaded to his Instagram in Spanish.
Meanwhile, Rangers have been handed a major boost ahead of the club’s upcoming trip to Celtic Park.