Morelos is axed after trip home

ALFREDO MORELOS was sensationally dropped from the Rangers squad for yesterday’s William Hill Scottish Cup tie at Tynecastle after turning up late from a trip home to Colombia.

Steven Gerrard revealed the full details of the disciplinary breach after Rangers slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Hearts.

And the Rangers manager insisted that even though on-loan Florian Kamberi was ineligible for the quarterfinal and Jermain Defoe only fit to return to the bench, he had to make a stand against his star striker’s conduct.

‘Alfredo came to me,

I’m not sure the exact date, 10 days or so ago,’ explained Gerrard. ‘He said his mum wasn’t feeling right, so he asked for permission to go back to Colombia, which I granted him.

‘He left on Sunday after the (St Johnstone) game because he was suspended (from Braga). I looked at him in the eye and said: “You need to be back on Wednesday”.

‘He said: “Okay, I really appreciate that”. He

returned 24 hours late and he missed one of the key preparation days for this game.

‘I decided to go with people who had done the full preparation and were desperate to be available.

‘You’ll have to ask his team-mates — only they can answer (if they feel let down by him). This is a kid I’ve loved and still love. He’s a top player, he has scored a great volume of goals for us.

‘But I couldn’t forget players who have worked ever so hard and are desperate for an opportunity over people who have got discipline letdown.

‘I wouldn’t be true to myself.’