ALVES’ FAITH IN A BRIGHT FUTURE

Portugal star was sold on Caixinha’s vision for Rangers and insists his boss will deliver goods

IN providing a highprofile start to Pedro Caixinha’s summer recruitment drive, Bruno Alves also delivered a show of faith. The 35-year-old centre-back claims to have been impressed by the vision his fellow Portuguese laid out for restoring Rangers to prominence.

Having signed a two-year contract to play a key role in that plan, Alves expressed confidence that Caixinha will now deliver on his words.

‘I know him because I know the work he did in Portugal,’ said Alves. ‘Also, some players he has coached before have spoken about him.

‘I’m happy to be coached by him. I think he has the qualities and the ideas to bring this club back to the victories again.

‘(When we spoke) it was for the project, for the future and what he wants to bring here. He was so important for me to join the team and I think he is capable and able to win.

‘This kind of person can bring a lot to the club and can make the difference. I think Caixinha has the right mentality to bring back the victories and all that everybody wants.’

Alves was the player Caixinha wanted as his first signing. Landing someone with a CV containing 89 Portugal caps, a Euro 2016 winners’ medal and title success with Porto, Zenit St Petersburg and Fenerbahce provides something of a statement. Even at this advanced stage of his career.

It could also provide encouragement for others to follow in the vital days and weeks ahead.

‘All teams need to be built and organised from the back and Bruno is a very talented and experienced player,’ Caixinha told Rangers TV.

‘He is also really mature and a leader with a strong character, so I’m very happy that he has signed a two-year deal with us at the beginning of this new project and this new cycle we want to start with Rangers.

‘I’m also very happy of course that he is my first signing.

‘What is important is that he is a winner with a winning mentality and that is something we all want, to put the club on a winning track again.

‘Bruno will be a leader in the dressing room and he will demand a lot from himself and others.

‘The players we are trying to bring to Rangers, we want them to have that character, that experience and that maturity, but also that winning mentality. Bruno will be one player who is going to help with that.’

Judgments about Caixinha will be far easier to make when he has his own players. So far, drawing any conclusions has been a treacherous task.

Criticisms of some the tactical plans he has deployed since taking charge in March — particularly when routed 5-1 by Celtic at Ibrox — have been valid. But everything comes with a caveat about the feeble squad he inherited.

The signings made in Mark Warburton’s final season in charge provided a truly dire return in terms of quality and value. And, as Caixinha has recognised, the dressing room is not exactly overflowing with characters who possess an unbreakable mentality. A clear-out will have to accompany the expectation of numerous other additions to follow Alves.

The former Cagliari man shares the same agent as Caixinha in ex-Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes. In Glasgow between 2008 and 2010, Mendes provided a recommendation adding to Alves’ own impressions of the Ibrox club.

‘He only had good things to say, about the club, the city, the fans,’ said Alves, whose involvement in the Confederations Cup is likely to delay him joining the Rangers squad until next month.

‘That was also one of the reasons that made me come here.

‘The way that people live their football and like the club was one of the reasons I joined such an amazing club.

‘Right away my answer was: “I’m in — I want to join the club”.

‘What have I heard about the fans? I haven’t heard. I have seen for myself. It was a very good experience and something that made me come here — to receive the affection of the fans.

‘I like to live the moments. I came here and I have seen the city better. I came to see the facilities, the stadium, the trophy room.

‘I have so many ideas about how I want to live here. It is going to be an amazing journey.

‘I have come here to win. This is what I expect.’

He was so important for me joining the club. He has the right ideas