Ruud van Nistelrooy doesn’t pretend to know what’s caused Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s fall-out with Alfredo Morelos. But the PSV boss is certain his old friend will have only done what he fully believes is best for Rangers and his squad.
The Ibrox side are flying out to Eindhoven for the crucial Champions League play-off decider without their talisman. Rangers’ record European scorer has been left behind amid concerns over his fitness levels and attitude following a five-month injury lay-off.
The row seems to have come to a head after the Colombian was sent off just 13 minutes after coming off the bench in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Hibs but van Nistelrooy admits he’s not been keeping tracks on the latest Morelos melodrama. However, he knows his old Holland team-mate van Bronckhorst well enough to know the Ibrox gaffer won’t have taken the decision lightly.
The PSV coach said: “I don’t know the decision-making about the Morelos case. I cannot comment on that. But I know Giovanni is making the best decision in the interest of the club and the team. I know Gio and I know he wants to get somewhere with the team and the club he works for.
“That’s the way I know him as a professional and a person. So I am not surprised that he is still doing that.’’ But van Nistelrooy is relieved his side won’t have to face a player who has fired 29 goals for the Light Blues in UEFA competition.
“We know Alfredo and what a player he is and can be and what he did for Rangers,” said the Manchester United legend. “He is a very good striker, so for us we obviously focus on ourselves – but I rate him a lot as a player.
“Morelos did not start (in Glasgow) and in the games before our game we saw Morelos coming on many times and not starting. So in that sense we don’t think (the decision to leave him behind) has the biggest influence. The number one striker is Antonio Colak and we expect him also for the game.”
READ NEXT
