Chris Sutton crucifies Rangers star for decision before loss v Celtic, questions commitment
By Danny Wright
Chris Sutton has blasted Bruno Alves for “swanning off to Madrid” for treatment to an injury while his Rangers side lost 2-0 to Celtic at Ibrox on Saturday.
Alves, 35, reportedly jetted out to Spain to see a specialist after he suffered a fitness setback in Tuesday’s League Cup win over Partick Thistle.
While the Portuguese centre-back was absent, Ross McCrorie was called on to make his full debut against Celtic alongside Fabio Cardoso in the heart of defence.
Now, Sutton has torn into Alves for his decision to abandon the squad and pursue treatment away from Glasgow.
The ex-Celtic striker even questioned the commitment that the Portugal international has towards Rangers after missing such a massive occasion – even though he wasn’t fit to play.
“Let’s talk about Bruno Alves, swanning off to Madrid to see a physio. Surely he has to be there at half-time and use his experience,” said Sutton on BT Sport’s Scottish Football Extra on Sunday morning.
“Is Bruno Alves committed to the cause, or isn’t he? Swanning off to Madrid, he isn’t any use to the Rangers players. They chucked a young kid in and he did okay.
“But you need your experience there, is he committed to the Rangers team, to the Rangers shirt? It doesn’t look that way to me.”
Alves has been a key player in Pedro Caixinha’s rebuilding process at Ibrox and was dubbed as being their best signing of the summer after he arrived from Cagliari just a year after winning the Euro 2016 title.
His career record also speaks for itself having played for European giants like Porto, Fenerbahce and Zenit St Petersburg.
The Gers star has made eight appearances across all competitions this term, scoring one goal in the process which came against Dunfermline in the League Cup in August.
In other Rangers news, Sutton has also blasted this Gers ace for his bold claim after the Old Firm loss.
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