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 Hibernian 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 stadium, 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 level, mentally and physically he is not ready to play.”
Van Bronckhorst will go again with 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.
The Dutchman said: “Antonio has done really well. He has had a positive impact on the team with his performances, and of course with his goals because we need goals to win games.”
On his Instagram account, Morelos posted a cryptic message in Spanish on an image 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 with the words “miedo a dios” which translates to “fear of God”.
PSV boss Ruud van Nistelrooy noted that Morelos had been on the bench in recent games, including the first leg at Ibrox last week, but conceded that the Colombia striker is a talent.
Van Bronckhorst’s former Netherlands team-mate said: “Morelos didn’t start and also in the games before our game we saw Morelos coming on many times and not starting.
“So in that sense we don’t think it has the biggest influence.
“The number one striker is Colak and we expect that for tomorrow’s game.
“I don’t know the decision-making around the Morelos case, I can’t comment on that but I know Giovanni is making decisions for the best interests of the club and the team.
“We know what a player Alfredo can be and what he is and what he has done for Rangers.
“He is a very good striker so in that sense, we obviously focus on ourselves but I rate him a lot as a player.”
Something about positive from the FAI for a change.
He has been absolutely brilliant since arriving at the club. We are much improved defensively because of him alone. Turned down the chance to manage Fleetwood a month ago to learn under Tuchel. Hopefully, he has a similar impact for Ireland.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: who’s we?
@Tosh Moher: Ah you’re one of those fans. I say “we” as in Chelsea. Or am I not allowed to say that? I watch every game, I get to say “we”. I hope that’s ok with you Tosh.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: transformed our set pieces. Duffy will thrive
@Hugh: if only he could defend
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: a Flaming sword likes football….they’ll be raging on ailesbury road
@Danger: rugby, football, golf, GAA, you name it, I’ll watch it
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: darts, horse racing….
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: of course your allowed say that Noel, I just find it a contradiction that you as a Republic of lrl supporter would be also be a supporter of Chelsea FC a club and supporters that have a history of racism, and an owner of dubious wealth, and also a club with strong links to the British Army, not a “we” many Irish people would want to be.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: that is grand and all but I have met few English supporters of their native home town football clubs like Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal in Australia over 18 yrs and they all seem to have a less then favourable opinion of Irish people supporting their club, spending their hard earned cash on supporting their local club in Manchester, Leeds or London etc. Irish support for their club is about as relevant as a supporter from Hong Kong. I was actually quite surprised tbh.
@Patrick Lawlor: Why were you surprised? We’re not British, we have our own league. Irish fans filling out the Aviva for Liverpool v League of Ireland XI is no different to Hong Kongers filling out Hong Kong stadium for Liverpool v Kitchee FC. I think a lot of Irish fans like to think it is different for them. They deserve some special status as supporters of English football clubs. ‘Real fans’ etc etc For whatever reason, a lot of PL fans hate the idea of football tourists. It is okay for them to have a squad packed full of players from all over the world, but international fans are not welcome. Morons. Irish fans might as well be tourists too. But, as I said, they like to think they deserve some special status with English clubs.
An appointment based on merit and not a jobs-for-the-boys scheme. It’s a start.
Now that’s a good appointment. A glimmer of hope.
Great appointment..under the radar.. no leaks..hopefully like our defense..
Kenny has really freshened things up with Barry and Dean Kiely on board. Hopefully the way forward, need to improve quickly after a dreadful start. Good luck to them all.
Great news..under the radar appointment..
Boys we’re winning the World Cup
Hopefully will start the end of a parochial finish to International Irish football, go Stephen Kenny,
Did anyone get the date for the stoning of JD.. these bag of boulders I have are raring to flung… nothing like a good Saturday morning stoning, Stephen’s green would suffice as the venue, John only loved hanging around the green.
No chance they could have given Robbie Keane a gig. Considering he is being paid still anyway!