Rangers star axed from international squad ahead of crucial fixtures – report

Sat 7 October 2017 14:28, UK

By James Black

Rangers star Bruno Alves has been axed from Portugal’s World Cup qualifying squad ahead of their crucial final two fixtures with Andorra and Switzerland, according to a report.

The Daily Record claims that Alves had been part of coach Fernando Santos’ original 25-man group but was one of two players left out of final 23-man squad for the double header alongside Swansea’s Renato Sanches.

The Portuguese have already secured a play-off spot in their group for next summer’s World Cup in Russia and face group leaders Switzerland on Tuesday and could still book an automatic place with two wins from two.

Alves, 35, has missed Rangers’ last three games with a calf injury although the Ibrox mainstay had posted an image to his personal Instagram account showing him training with the Portuguese squad earlier this week.

Alves has picked up 95 caps for the Portuguese in an international career which has saw his represent his country at two World Cups and three European Championships – culminating in the Portuguese squad winning Euro 2016.

Alves was also part of the Portugal squad at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, playing twice at the Games.

It’s unclear whether Alves will now return to Glasgow as the Gers prepare for Friday’s trip to Perth to face St. Johnstone or remain with the Portugal squad until the end of the international break.