ALVES RETURN TO TRAINING A MURTY BOOST

RANGERS’ injury problems have eased with the return of Bruno Alves to training.

The Portuguese defender tore a calf during a goalless draw with Celtic on December 30.

Kenny Miller returned to the squad for the victory over Partick Thistle on Tuesday, although Declan John and Sean Goss picked up knocks at Firhill.

Manager Graeme Murty said: “Declan is still being checked by our medical staff, while Sean Goss damaged a nerve in his face. He got a boot to the face but has come back okay.

“Bruno Alves joined in training today and Kenny Miller is obviously doing full days’ training.

“Ross McCrorie is progressing after an injection, so we’re hopeful he will start running soon.

“Lee Wallace is also progressing so we’re looking to have more people back, giving me a headache in terms of squad selection and people who are ready to go and play.”

Murty has been keeping an eye on the development squad who are set to return from a two-week training camp in Spain.

The young Light Blues beat Villarreal and Valencia.

Murty added: “We’ll take a little bit of stick as we’ve done so well in the games programme playing some really big teams but then don’t beat St Johnstone in the Youth Cup.

“We understand that and we understand that on any day things might not happen for us.

“But if we see the growth in our young players, and the way they are being tested, and the way they haven’t been able to dominate the ball as they would in Scotland and the way they have had to find a way to cope with different structures and different shapes, it’s been great for their development.

“It’s an ongoing process, and I think it’s a really important step they’re taking. Also the opportunity to go to Spain for a couple of weeks has allowed Glenn Middleton to see what we’re about, and allowed other people to come to the fore and actually cope with being a professional athlete.

“They are going to have to be able to travel to Europe to play for this club as we will be in Europe.

“You have to be able to go to Europe midweek, go big distances, and then come back and play here on a Saturday.

“That is what this is built for, to prepare them. They won’t be ready yet, we know that, but this is to give them an inkling of what life might be like if they are fortunate and hungry enough to go and crack on from here.”

Murty played a major role in the creation of the games programme in his previous role as head coach of the development squad, and he continues to keep more than a keen eye on their progression.

He added: “I am the most interested observer, and the guys know that we have an overview, as all managers should in my opinion.

“I watch the games and I talk to the players regularly. But that can’t distract from the full-time job I have.

“I am mindful of the challenge they have, and some of the young players have found it hard, and they still need to know that we are right behind them.

“Even though I’m not in there with them, every now and again one of them will pop up to talk about an aspect of a game and the way they are feeling, which I would encourage with any player.

“I do it with the first team and I do it with the Under-20s. And when the 17s are out I will go and watch them as well as I think it’s right that I have an overview of all the age groups to see we are on the right path.

“From what I can see from first-team down, we’re moving in the right direction.”