Rangers pair pick up awards after strong December displays

Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Alfredo Morelos made it an awards double for Rangers after being named cinch Premiership manager and player of the month respectively for December.

The Colombian striker scored four goals as the Ibrox side won all five of their league matches last month.

Van Bronckhorst praised Morelos for his form since he replaced Steven Gerrard in charge in late November.

The Dutchman said: “He has done well since I came in and he has scored some important goals that have been important for the team.

“He is working hard and his attitude has been really good, and he has been a positive factor for the team.”

Morelos had a relatively slow start to the season by his own prolific standards, scoring just seven goals – and only four in the league – until mid-november. However, the arrival of Van Bronckhorst appears to have given him a new lease of life.

The 25-year-old scored a brace against Sparta Prague in the Dutchman’s first game in charge in late November before netting against Dundee, Hearts, St Johnstone and St Mirren last month, taking his tally for the season to 13 in all competitions and eight in the league.

Reflecting on his own award for what was his first full month as

Rangers manager, Van Bronckhorst said: “I think the start of my career at Rangers has been very positive and I am very proud to win this award, but I think what is behind the award is much more important.

“It means we have done a great job and my staff who have come with me and the staff who are already here have helped me a lot and have worked hard to achieve the wins we have had.”

The news comes on a day of squad change up front for the Premiership champions.

Former England striker Jermaine Defoe has left Ibrox after what the club described as “three years of excellent service”.

The 39-year-old has left after making just two appearances this season, although he had been helping out in a coaching capacity and was part of an interim management team following the departure of Steven Gerrard to Aston Villa.

The ex-tottenham and Portsmouth forward netted 32 goals in 74 appearances after joining from Bournemouth, initially on loan, in January 2019.

Sporting director Ross Wilson said: “Jermain has made a significant contribution to Rangers over the last number of seasons.”

And Swiss defender Cedric Itten returns to the club after his loan deal with Greuther Furth was called short.

Alfredo Morelos scored four goals in December.