Naked truth for Zidane
tilt at Brendan Rodgers’ side and hopes the Ibrox crowd can inspire Gers to victory. They failed to win a derby last term but Alves said: “This is one of the games that all the players want to play in – not just myself. “It will be a great experience because I am used to great matches, great derbies.
“I want to give my best and help the team. This is what I have come to do here.”
Alves also quizzed his agent Pedro Mendes, who famously scored for Rangers with a stunning strike in a 4-2 win over Celtic at Parkhead nine years ago, to get information about Scotland’s biggest club clash. “Of course, we have spoken about the Old Firm game,” he said. “It was Pedro, together with the coach, who brought me here. “He spoke to me about his time playing here and the importance of this game for the fans. But I am ready – I have the experience of all my years before, al l my derbies, important games. I am looking forward to it.”
Alves was a member of Portugal’s European Championship-winning squad last year and, with at least a play- of f place guaranteed, he’s determined to make it to next summer’s World Cup finals in Russia.
He said: “That was one of the reasons I decided to move to Scotland.
“Rangers are a big team and this a l lows me to compete and hopefully stay in the national team.
“The European Championships win put Portugal on a different level. Now we need to qualify for the World Cup and, after that, we can think about what we need to do.
“I came here thinking I could be useful for the team. We are getting better but need to prove ourselves and show we can compete and win.
“This club is used to winning. Everybody is waiting for that and we want to bring that back.
“When I came here I found a very strong group of players who want to improve. I feel that we have a good team. We are strong and all together.”
He also expects to enjoy life in Scotland even more now that his family have finally joined him.
He said: “My family came back with me after the break and now I have everybody here it is easier.
“It helps a lot to have my wife and kids in Scotland. You need to be around the people you love and my family follow me wherever I go.
“If you are always away then you miss them and that can be a problem. Now they are here and my kids started school on Thursday.
“They all speak good English, which helps. They are enjoying Glasgow and enjoying a new experience in Scotland.
“I like going into the city centre and going out for dinner. The people are friendly and have been welcoming.” Zinedine Zidane reckons Real Madrid left themselves exposed by going “crazy” against lowly Levante.
The Spanish champions dropped points at home for the second game in a row as Levante held them to a shock 1-1 draw.
Ivi’s early opener stunned the Bernabeu and Zidane put it down to his side leaving themselves bare by going gung-ho.
He said: “The beginning of the game is important. We have to be patient and not go crazy.
“Certain things can happen in games but it doesn’t mean you have to tear your clothes off.”
Lucas Vazquez equalised before the break but Real couldn’t find a winner with Gareth Bale the chief sinner in front of goal.
Zidane said: “We cannot be happy, especially with our first-half performance.
“In the second half we improved a bit. We lost two points and have to find a better way to get the wins.”
To complete a miserable day for Zidane, full-back Marcelo saw red for lashing out at the death.
Keeper Raul was Levante’s hero and he said: “You always feel overwhelmed at the Bernabeu. When they start to attack it seems like they never stop.”
Valencia, who drew 1-1 at the Bernabeu before the internat iona l brea k , frustrated the other side of Madrid yesterday in a 0- 0 stalemate with Atletico.
Diego Simeone’s side badly missed suspended striker Antoine Griezmann as they drew a blank.
I t a l ia n champions Juventus kept up their perfect start to the season with a 3- 0 win over Chievo.
Perparim Hetemaj’s own goal set the bal l rolling before Gonzalo Higuain’s smart finish doubled their lead in 58 minutes.
Paulo Dybala then hit No. 3 as Juve warmed up in style for their Champions League trip to Barcelona.