‘Pedro needs time’
BRUNO ALVES last night called for Pedro Caixinha to be given time to build a winning Rangers team. The Ibrox boss (left) is under pressure following an embarrassing Europa League qualifying defeat to Luxembourg minnows Progres Niederkorn. And former Rangers favourite Barrie McKay has increased the scrutiny of Caixinha by criticising the Portuguese’s treatment of him prior to his £500,000 move to Nottingham
Forest. However, Alves insists his compatriot was a huge factor in his move to Scotland and urged fans to show patience. ‘I think we need to wait and see,’ he said. I think we need to see what is going to happen in the season. ‘Pedro has not had enough time to build what he wants to build, and to put Rangers in the place the club needs to be. ‘He is trying to get over his ideas and that takes time. Nothing comes so fast. He should have time to prepare even though time is running.’ Rangers face Marseille in a friendly tomorrow as part of an improvised pre-season programme pulled together after the shock Europa League exit. With two weeks to go until the Ibrox side kick off the SPFL season with a trip to Motherwell, Caixinha is under pressure to hit the ground running. Alves, a title winner in Portugal, Turkey and Russia, expressed faith in his new manager. He said: ‘I’ve played against his teams and I think he is a coach with a strong character, good ideas and I think he is the right person for this job. ‘I think and believe — it’s why I came here — that he will do a good job.’ Alves’ endorsement of Caixinha contrasted sharply with McKay’s views in an interview with BBC Nottingham.
Sportsmail revealed how the player was banished to train with the Under-20s after refusing to sign a contract extension. McKay, who subsequently joined former Ibrox boss Mark Warburton at Forest, said: ‘I wasn’t being treated the way any human being should be treated, but that’s football and I had to move on. ‘The way things happened up there is more disappointing. I guess that’s football, but I’m a big boy and will get on with it.’