STEVEN GERRARD insisted he had no option but to leave Alfredo Morelos out of the trip to Tynecastle after a breach of discipline this week.
The striker - suspended for the Europa League win over Braga on Wednesday - was granted leave to return home to Colombia to be with his mother.
But the 23-year-old wasn't back in Glasgow at the agreed time as Rangers' focus shifted onto their Scottish Cup clash with Hearts on Sunday.
Morelos was missed as the Gers crashed out of the competition but Gerrard stood by the decision not to involve him in his squad.
Gerrard said: "Alfredo came to me, I’m not sure of the exact date, ten days or so ago, and he said his mum wasn’t feeling right so he asked for permission to go back to Colombia.
"Which I granted at the right time and said he could go and sort his family problem out. He left after the game on Sunday because he was suspended and I looked him in the eye and said ‘you need to be back on Wednesday’. He said ‘OK, I really appreciate that’.
"He returned 24 hours late and missed one of the key preparation days for this game. So I decided to go with people that had done the full preparation and that were desperate to be available for today.
"That was the decision I made. That is where that is.
"I think you should ask his team-mates that question [if he has let them down). Only they can answer that. This is a kid who I have loved, and still do love him.
"He is a top player, he has scored a great volume of goals for us. But we all know from time to time what he does, what he is about.
"I couldn’t forget players that are working ever so hard and that are desperate for an opportunity over people that have got discipline like that. I wouldn’t do it because I wouldn’t be true to myself."
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