Caixinha wants to hear more from Alves
RANGERS boss Pedro Caixinha has urged Bruno Alves to talk up after telling the veteran defender he wants him to be his eyes and ears on the pitch.
The 35-year-old centreback made his first appearance in a blue jersey since sealing his summer switch from Cagliari during Saturday’s friendly draw with Marseille.
The Portugal international gave a solid display during his hour-long run-out.
But Caixinha wants to see his compatriot make more use of his years of experience and provide Rangers with a strong voice at the back.
He told RangersTV: “Bruno is just with us for one week, he arrived one week from today.
“He’s being a quiet boy, just observing and just getting to know everything around him, but he’s that type of leader that doesn’t need to express too much.
“Just his presence makes all the guys understand what is going on. In just a small conversation, a one v one situation, everybody understands.
“So that’s the type of leadership Bruno has, more by his presence, and you ask me if I want more from him, I want a little bit more communication and also coaching from the back because he is seeing all the game.
“I really want Bruno to represent me on the pitch, definitely. That’s one situation I’ve been talking with him about and he’s going to do it very easily.”
The draw with the big-spending Ligue 1 outfit has provided a small – but much-needed – dose of cheer to Caixinha following his side’s humiliating Europa League exit at the hands of Luxembourg minnows Progres Niederkorn.
He said: “Graham Dorrans in the middle of the park did great. Both he and Bruno are not of course at the best fitness level, we need to put them up to that in the next two weeks.”