Steven Gerrard reportedly faces big Rangers blow over ‘terrific’ star amid imminent decision

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Colombia boss Renaldo Rueda may throw Steven Gerrard’s plans into a spin as he considers a late international call-up for Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos, per 90minutos.

La Tricolor have assembled in Bogota for their World Cup qualifiers with Uruguay, Brazil and Ecuador. But Rueda is missing several players from Europe, Mexico and Brazil and may lose Miguel Angel Borja, as well.

The forward will undergo scans ahead of facing Uruguay on Thursday to assess an injury, with a seven-day absence likely. Rueda has several options to call on if Borja’s issue proves more severe than Colombia fear, including Rangers star Morelos.

Rueda initially overlooked Morelos for the Colombia squad, but is considering him with his coaches as a replacement for Borja. Rangers will pay close attention to the 25-year-old’s potential involvement during the October break over risks of having to self-isolate.

Per the Daily Record, Morelos could miss Rangers’ next Premiership match against Hearts if he features in Rueda’s Colombia squad. Colombia is on the Scottish Government’s Covid red-list, so the striker would have to isolate for 10-days on his return.

That would also rule him out of the Gers’ Europa League fixture against Brondby as Gerrard seeks their first points. Rangers lost to Lyon and Sparta Prague in their opening group stage games, while Brondby held Sparta to a draw.

Colombia call-up for Morelos potentially bad news for Rangers

Rueda would no doubt delight Morelos if he selects the Rangers striker to replace Borja in the Colombia squad. But Gerrard may not share that same glee, if it means he misses the Gers’ top-of-the-table clash with Hearts.

Rangers edge the unbeaten Hearts by a point after eight games, and still seek a point in the Europa League. Morelos also missed the first-leg of the Ibrox outfit’s Champions League third-round qualifier with Malmo and the opening Premiership fixture after his last call-up.

Morelos finally seems to be finding form again with a goal and an assist in Rangers’ last two league games. The forward – who Gerrard describes as ‘terrific’, via Sky Sports – has now struck home five in 14 across all competitions. He has also assisted twice so far this term.