PLAY ME OR I’LL QUIT
Alves adds to the Ibrox crisis by telling club he’s ready to walk if his World Cup spot is in jeopardy
BRUNO ALVES has added to the uncertainty at Ibrox by saying he’ll quit Rangers if his World Cup spot is in jeopardy. The Portuguese defender has endorsed the credentials of Graeme Murty as interim manager after Derek McInnes rejected overtures to stay with Aberdeen. However, his analysis of the present position of the club came with a sting in the tail – he could be off in January if Murty only hands him a bit-part role in the coming weeks. The Under-20s coach has already shown he’s not afraid to make big decisions after naming the vastly-experienced star on the bench for last month’s 3-0 win over Partick Thistle. Murty decided to stick with a defensive pairing of Danny Wilson and Ross McCrorie, who had served him well in the previous week’s 3-1 victory over Hearts at Murrayfield. Injuries have restricted the appearances of Alves in recent weeks – he played in the 3-0 win over the Dons at Ibrox before sitting out the 2-1 victory at Pittodrie last weekend. The Portuguese insists he is ready to take on some extra responsibility at club level in the coming weeks. But, at the age of 36, the European Championship winner is also turning his attention to Russia next year and group games against Spain, Morocco and Iran in what is likely to be his last appearance at a major tournament. Alves said: “Graeme spoke with me before the first game I stayed on the bench but I always respect decisions. “I’m a professional player and I also respect all the other players at the club who are fighting for the position.
“But I have my own ambitions. I am still playing for my national team and I need to play. We have a World Cup next summer and I need to play and be fit, to try to be in Russia with my country.
“This is very important for me – not just to help Rangers but I also want to help myself to get to the World Cup.
“I am an ambitious person. I like to play. If I don’t have space here or if I don’t play, I need to think about my future or about what’s going to happen next.
“I am happy playing and I respect everybody. I don’t want to be a problem to anybody, I want to be a solution and I’ve thought like that during my entire career.
“If I don’t have the space or I don’t play so much then, of course, I need to think about it. As always, I come to training and give my best. I do what I know to do.
“After that, the decision is not
mine to play or not. That is the manager’s decision and I respect everybody because sometimes I have been playing and someone else has gone to the bench or has not played.
“It is vital that everybody respects everybody else and also, most importantly, that we all respect the club.”
Rangers needed a personal update on his own position by Alves at Murray Park yesterday like they needed a hole in the head, even as he insisted he stands squarely behind Murty in the wake of the McInnes saga.
Gers will lean heavily on the experience of the ex-Porto, Zenit St Petersburg and Fenerbahce stopper in the coming weeks.
He has trained head of today’s visit of Ross County. Rangers need him fit – and focused.
Alves said: “I don’t have anything to say about Derek McInnes. What I would say is that we need all the people here to help and we need everyone who wants to be here. It is about everyone being together and putting Rangers in a better place.
“For that we need everyone to give their best. I have been in football for a long time and these things happen but you must not lose the focus on what you are wanting to do in the future.
“Have I been at a club without a manager for this long? No. But it is important everybody is giving their best to put Rangers in the right place.
“As players, we are focused and training well. We are preparing for all the games.
“This kind of situation is apart from our job.
“We have a coach and we need to respect his ideas and what he is trying to do. We are following him. I have been working with him for a long time now and it has been really easy.
“He brings so much positivity and brings everyone together with the same goal. We are giving our best for him. Every day we are listening to him and doing what he wants for the team. We respect him and what he wants to do. That is important.
“Time will tell if he is the right man for the job long term but he has done well. “The communication with all the players is very good and he can reach everyone.
“We understand him, respect him and we do what he wants.
“I think he has the quality. He can give something and give what Rangers need – winning games and performing well.
“As one of the senior players, my responsibility is the same as when I arrived. I came to bring my best to the team.
“If I can give something extra to the young players then even better. At this moment, I am focused on the team and trying to work towards our main goals and what we want to achieve.”
Alves was the marquee summer signing for Pedro Caixinha, a tough as teak centre-half who could harden up a defensive unit that had grown soft under Mark Warburton.
Rangers have conceded more than a goal a game in the league this season but a victory against the Staggies would give them their first run of three consecutive wins in a calendar year.
Alves said: “I don’t have any regrets about signing here. Pedro was responsible for me coming to Rangers but I already knew all about the club. “It was my choice to come. It wasn’t just down to the coach, it was the club. I want to give more to the team and help it achieve the position that it used to have in the past.
“That was the reason I joined and that’s what we all want – to put Rangers back in the right
place.”
Pedro brought me here but I already knew all about Rangers BRUNO ALVES