Brunoadmits hemayhead for Ibrox exit

BRUNO ALVES admits he may have to consider his Ibrox future if a lack of game time with Rangers jeopardises his World Cup dream.

The 36-year-old has set his sights on a place in the Portugal squad for what is likely to be his last major finals in Russia next summer.

Alves has been an integral part of his national side for several years and was part of the Selecao group that won the European Championships in 2016.

But it has been a stopstart few weeks for him in Light Blue as he spent time on the sidelines and was then overlooked by interim boss Graeme Murty.

And the former Porto, Zenit and Fenerbahce star knows he must be pulling on his boots on a regular basis if he is to continue on the road to Russia.

Alves said: “He [Murty] just spoke with me before the first game I stayed on the bench. But I always respect decisions.

“I am a professional player and I also respect all the other players who are fighting for the position.

“But I have my own ambition. I am still playing for the national team and I need to play. We have a World Cup soon and I need to play and be fit, to try and be at the World Cup.

“This is important for me. Not j ust to help Rangers, but I also want to help myself to go 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. I respect everybody. I don’t want to be a problem to anybody, I want to be a solution.

“If I don’t have the space or I don’t play so much then of course I need to think about it.

“After that, the decision is not mine to play. That is the manager’s decision and I respect everybody, because sometimes I have played and someone else has gone to the bench or has not played.”

Alves was the standout signing of the summer for Rangers but it has been a difficult start to life at Ibrox for the veteran stopper.

Boss Pedro Caixinha was sacked in October after a shocking start to the season and the Light Blues are seven points off the pace in the Premiership.

Alves said: “I don’t have any regrets. Pedro was responsible for me coming to Rangers – but I already knew all about the club.

“It was my personal choice to come here. It wasn’t just down to the coach, it was the club.

“I don’t regret coming to Rangers. I want to give more to the team and help it more.”

Rangers return to action against Ross County this afternoon just days after Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes rejected the chance to become Caixinha’s successor at Ibrox.

And Alves has been impressed with the way the Under-20 boss has handled a difficult situation in recent weeks.

He said: “Time will say but he has done very well.

“The communication with all of the players is very good and he can reach everyone.

“We understand him and respect him, and we do what he wants.”