Rangers suffer Alfredo Morelos blow as they chase Celtic
Celtic are guaranteed a place in the Champions League group stage this season, as a result of winning the Premiership title last time around. Ange Postecoglou’s side overcame heavy odds to be crowned champions in the previous campaign and are now reaping the rewards. On the other hands, the Rangers face a tough test away from home, against PSV Eindhoven.
While the Rangers have enjoyed themselves in Europe in recent times, most of their success has been based on their wins at Ibrox. Away from home, their record is pretty bad. And as a result, they will have a mountain to climb when they come up against PSV in the second leg of their Champions League play-off.
The first leg ended up 2-2 at Ibrox. And now, the Rangers have been handed another blow in their quest to join Celtic in the Champions League group stage.
As reported by Sky Sports, Alfredo Morelos has been left out of the Rangers squad for the game against PSV Eindhoven. Giovanni van Bronckhorst made the decision following various concerns including the striker’s fitness levels and attitude over the early stages of this season.
Rangers suffer Morelos blow in their quest to join Celtic in the Champions League group stage
Morelos recently received a red card in the Rangers’ game against Hibernian, which ended in a 2-2 draw and ultimately led to Celtic taking a two point lead at the top of the league table.
While Morelos has not been in great form this season, he has been their most prolific player in European competitions for several years now. Thus, his absence against PSV is a blow for the Rangers.
Fortunately for Celtic, they do not need to worry about the Champions League qualifying phases this time around. Instead, the fans are counting the days till the group stage draw and then finally the night when Europe’s elite competition will return to Parkhead.