It has been widely reported that Alfredo Morelos will be called up to the preliminary squad for Colombia’s World Cup qualification double header against Bolivia and Venezuela.
However, reports of a ‘mad dash‘ to get back to Glasgow are very wide of the mark with El Bufalo having three full days to get back to the UK for the Old Firm encounter at Ibrox on 3rd April.
The Rangers striker is on the record regarding his duty to his country and joining up with the squad even though he has been left in the stands for the last few games and even missed the previous derby at Parkhead due to the January international window whilst the Scottish Premiership played on.
As tends to be the case, Colombia announce a bloated panel of more than 30 players then trim this number down at the games get closer. With Los Cafeteros struggling for goals and form at present, with coach Reinaldo Ruena under pressure, it could be that Morelos gets his chance this time given his added prominence due to his recent Europa League displays.
The matter is something that is out of the hands of Giovanni van Bronckhorst as he will just need to hope for the best over this international period – the last of this season. Other important players will go off with their national side before returning for the big game, with Celtic in a similar position.
Gers boss Gio stated previously regarding Colombia:
“As a club, we cannot do anything. It is a pity for him, and also for us as a club, that he is not even in the squad.”