Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst says he expects Alfredo Morelos will be sidelined for the “long-term”.
The Colombian has been ruled out of tomorrow’s Old Firm derby but van Bronckhorst says the striker could well be unavailable for an extended period:
“Alfredo, unfortunately, had a new injury while on duty with Colombia so he won’t be available for this Sunday. I think we will lose him for a longer time. It is a long-term injury but we don’t know how long yet. We will assess him in the next few days but he’s out for Sunday. We won’t have him back in the next couple of weeks.”
Fans on Twitter are dismayed about Morelos’s injury, with many not expecting to see him again this season:
Massive loss especially in Europa
— ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🇬🇧 (@AyeReady_4444) April 1, 2022
Pain
— Oscar (@oscar_mac_03) April 1, 2022
Time for the strikers to stand up and be counted. Just you keep sitting cedric
— buffs hair doo (@jakeyboy112) April 1, 2022
There goes any chance of the league
— Lyndon Bowes (@bowes_lyndon) April 1, 2022
— 🃏Rab 🃏 (@robertmcnaught) April 1, 2022
Out for the season no doubt. Big onus on Roofe now
— AlanC 🐻 (@AlanC_69) April 1, 2022
RIP
— Every Other Saturday Podcast🇬🇧⚽️ (@EveryOtherSatu1) April 1, 2022
Last few weeks the calls have been there to have this man in the team…….Step forward Kemar we need you!! pic.twitter.com/LPRZUFBAvK
— Craig McCrimmon (@Crimbo78Mc) April 1, 2022
After being pictured on crutches following his return from international duty, the initial signs were not promising and the worst fears of supporters have now been realised.
Others will now have to step up in order to fill the void left by Morelos. Kemar Roofe will want to prove his worth, after being left out by van Bronckhorst on a regular basis in recent months. Both Fashion Sakala and Cedric Itten will also have to play their part.
Whatever way you look at it, though, it is a massive blow for the Gers heading into some crucial games, both domestically and in Europe.