Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos set for Colombia appearance as Steven Gerrard keeps fingers crossed

Alfredo Morelos in action for Colombia against Venezuela as part of South American qualifiers for Qatar 2022 in Barranquilla on October 9. (Photo by Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images)

The 24-year-old is expected to play some part of the match at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago as Colombia look to build on last month’s 3-0 win over Venezuela that kicked off their qualifying campaign.

Morelos is unlikely to start, given that los Cafeteros’ boss Carlos Quieroz has Radamel Falcao, Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel at his disposal, but the head coach is a fan of the Rangers forward and used him as a substitute in their last match.

The game kicks off at 1.30am UK time on Wednesday, with Morelos – capped eight times by Colombia so far – then set to dash back to Glasgow in time for Rangers’ preparations ahead of Saturday’s Glasgow derby clash with Celtic at Parkhead.

Gers gaffer Gerrard will be desperately hoping Morelos returns fit and healthy. While the former Independiente Medellin and HJK forward has not hit top gear this season, he is expected to lead the blue forward line at the weekend ahead of Jermain Defoe, Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten.

Gerrard will also want to avoid the team selection conundrum his opposite number Neil Lennon is facing right now, after a combination of positive Covid-19 tests and close-contact self isolation ruling out Celtic trio Ryan Christie, Nir Bitton and Hatem Elhamed, while Odsonne Edouard’s participation is also in doubt after the forward was confirmed to have the virus a week ago.