Van Bronckhorst ‘breaks his silence’ but don’t mention Alfredo Morelos

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has spoken to the media for the first time since the Scottish Cup Final in May. 

After 10 days of pre-season training the Dutchman has given the most gentle of interviews to Sky Sports in which the big issues are neatly side-stepped. 

First up was the good news that PAOK flop Antonio Colak was on his way followed by positive spin on Joe Aribo’s move to Charlton. The transfer fee wasn’t mentioned but apparently it is the ambition of the club to produce squad fillers for mid-table EPL clubs. 

?? “He has the ambition to play in the Premier League and that’s probably what is going to happen in the near future”

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst confirms that Joe Aribo is close to a move to the Premier League ?? pic.twitter.com/2S0B4uJAAk

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) July 7, 2022

Strangely there was no mention of Alfredo Morelos. Out of action since March 20 the Colombian ace hasn’t been seen on the training pitch at Murray Park or at the club’s Portuguese training base since returning from a holiday in Colombia. 

Saturday’s friendly against Sunderland should provide a clue to the fitness of Morelos, if he fails to make the bench three weeks before the first SPFL match of the season it is highly unlikely that he’ll be firing on all cylinders for the Champions League qualifier on August 2 or 3. 

Like Aribo and Ryan Kent, Morelos is out of contract in May 2023.