Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst offers olive branch to exiled striker Alfredo Morelos
Giovanni van Bronckhorst has vowed to get axed Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos fit and firing for the Champions League.
Last season’s Europa League finalists secured their place in Thursday’s draw when they travelled to the Netherlands and produced a fine display to topple PSV Eindhoven.
Sealing their return to the Champions League for the first time in 12 years, pre-match preparations were disrupted by the omission of star striker Morelos over fitness and attitude issues.
Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos was left out of PSV clash due to fitness and attitude issues
The arrival of Van Bronckhorst and his players in the Philips Stadium was also delayed 15 minutes by crowds of PSV fans letting off fireworks.
Hailing the 3-2 aggregate victory as one of the biggest nights of his managerial career, however, the Dutchman used the adversity to get the best from his players. And, with a place amongst the elite secure, he offered an olive branch to exiled striker Morelos.
‘I think one of the jobs as a coach is to inspire your players for what lies ahead and for us it was the Champions League. Of course you have (to deal) with the fireworks and the day we had.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst has vowed to get Morelos fit and firing for the Champions League
‘Morelos qualified for the Champions League as well, he qualified for the Champions League as well. I think he is also proud that he sees his team-mates and his club qualify for the biggest competition in the world.
‘He is still a Rangers player and I will push him the way I can to get him fit and to get the Morelos back that we all want.’
After watching the game on television, Morelos took to social media to express pride in his teammates. Heavily linked with a pre-contract move to Sevilla the record Rangers goalscorer in Europe now has all the motivation he needs to get back in the team.
Excited by the prospect of drawing Man City, Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich van Bronckhorst insists his team are going into the Champions League to compete rather than make up the numbers.
Rangers beat PSV to seal their return to the Champions League for the first time in 12 years
‘Of course you want to be competitive. We are here to compete, we want to compete with the best teams in Europe.
‘It is going to be a difficult challenge because we are going to face some big teams in Europe, like we did last year, but it is an experience that I will love. I love that my players will have the opportunity to compete.
‘I always remember my first game in the Champions League with Feyenoord against Juventus away and the first 20, 25 minutes I was blown away by the level and the way Juventus played in that time.
‘To experience that as a player, you have to be very privileged because not many players get the chance to compete on this level.’
