Pedro will build a side in his image
Ibrox manager is preparing to release a list of the players who are leaving and those coming in
MORE than once, Pedro Caixinha’s index finger jabbed at the club crest on a press release sitting on the table in front of him. Declaring the inspiration he draws from the past at Rangers, the passion the 46-year-old projects when speaking of building a brighter future remains unmistakable. Talk of defending the club, the badge, has almost become a mantra. For that to be realised in effective on-field actions, rather than merely strong words, different personnel will be required. Caixinha claimed that he will soon be able to put forth ‘two pages’. One detailing players in. The other for those exiting.
Some of the names desired to appear on the former list — which could enter double-figures by the end of the summer — are already known.
Rangers are edging closer to concluding a deal to land experienced Euro 2016 winner Bruno Alves from Cagliari. The Ibrox club are also favourites to conclude a pre-contract deal for Aberdeen captain Ryan Jack after the Scottish Cup final.
It is no coincidence that both count aggression and tenacity among their qualities. Eager to amend the weakness witnessed this season — most recently in a midweek defeat from Aberdeen — Caixinha ultimately wants to see the personal qualities on which he prides himself being reflected in his team.
The Portuguese yesterday stressed he was unmoved by external criticism in the wake of a very public spat with Derek McInnes. A forthright style of work will not be amended as he seeks to fashion a very different team from the one he inherited.
‘Things will go like this,’ said Caixinha, addressing his recruitment drive. ‘First of all, the players need to know which club they are coming to. They need to feel that passion just to represent such a big club like this.
‘After that, of course the team needs to be all the time up at the top.
‘The players are playing first of all for the club, but also me. And you are starting to know how I am. I want the team to perform under my image. So that is what we are trying to build.
‘I don’t want to change the culture, but I want to take advantage of the massive history and tradition.
‘I want to remind everyone who is working here just how massive this club is. That is what people don’t understand that I am respecting. One hundred and 45 years, it is too much history to be disrespectful of. I am the face of this club at this moment. As all the managers who passed before me here as well. They weren’t defending the club as well?
‘I know the attacks are coming from everywhere but I am that sort of leader who gives the face and gives the body, so that is what I am going to do.’
Declining to comment on specific targets or those who might be told their future lies elsewhere, Caixinha added: ‘You will have two pages, whether it is one name or ten. I will be glad to give the two pages soon.’
This week, the back page headlines have revolved around what was said,
“I don’t want to change the club’s culture orhistory”
rather than who will sign. It seems the feud with McInnes has been stilled by sharing a glass of wine after Aberdeen’s first win at Ibrox in 26 years.
That had initially appeared a nonstarter as Caixinha railed against a perceived snub from his Pittodrie counterpart when the clubs last met.
In the same midweek post-match press conference, the Portuguese also made reference to being the ‘only foreigner’ — as he had been when working in Mexico. So does he feel he has been welcomed by Scottish football at large?
‘This work is not about being welcomed, it’s about work,’ he said.
‘It’s not the first time I have been in a new environment.’ Tomorrow brings a final Premiership fixture against St Johnstone. A summer break will be fleeting at best prior to pre-season training resuming on June 5.
‘I am here to work,’ said Caixinha. ‘You know how many days off me and the team have had so far? Yes, a couple, maybe like more than a week.
‘For me, holidays or days off just means we don’t have training. The life of the manager should be 24-7. If others go to play golf or enjoy the life that is the way they see it. I see it differently.
‘The changes are private, but we will discuss them from the first day of pre-season when the new players arrive.’ The question of who stays among the existing squad will depend not only on Caixinha’s opinion, but also whether anyone wants to sign those deemed surplus to requirements.
Sportsmail revealed in March that Nottingham Forest are interested in James Tavernier. However, the rightback insisted playing in the Europa League qualifiers for Rangers trumped any thought of a reunion with former manager Mark Warburton.
‘One hundred per cent,’ said Tavernier. ‘I got a few texts telling me that I was in the papers, but nothing has been said. I’ve got two years left and I can’t wait for European football.’