Morelos tweets apology after missing Rangers training

Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos has apologised to club staff and supporters after returning late to training after a trip to Colombia.

The forward was given permission from Rangers to make the trip to his homeland last week as he was suspended for the Europa League match against Braga. However, he was 24 hours late in returning to training and manager Steven Gerrard dropped him from the side that lost to Hearts in the Scottish Cup on Saturday.

Morelos has now issued an apology through social media. It read: “I wish to apologise to the club, the manager, coaching staff, all of my teammates and the Rangers fans for disappointing them with my conduct last week.

“I understand that people inside and outside the club are disappointed that I let them down and it was never my intention to do so.

“Everyone at Rangers and the fans have given me so much love that I’m so grateful for and I just want to show everyone on the pitch how much Rangers means to me.”

Speaking on Tuesday morning, Rangers boss Gerrard had said that he had disciplined the player and that he would now return to the first team squad for the match against Hamilton.

“He has been disciplined internally, which he has accepted and he has shown a lot of remorse for his actions, letting his team-mates down and supporters down,” Gerrard said.

“As a club we are very united from top to bottom in terms of our standards and what is expected.

“When someone goes against that trust it is important that they are punished for it, so that’s what’s happened.

“I think it is important that we are not stubborn and let it fester and carry on.

“It is important that we move on from these situations, it is dealt with strongly, which it has been and we move forward.

“Is he going to be perfect? No. Is he going to make mistakes and frustrate me from time to time? Possibly.

“But I need to make sure I do the right thing for him and the club in this situation and that’s what I felt I have done.”