Murty explains Alves omission in Rangers defeat v Kilmarnock
Rangers manager Graeme Murty has revealed why Bruno Alves didn’t feature in the Gers’ 2-1 defeat to Kilmarnock, admitting he chose to leave him out because the Gers have “big games” coming up.
Alves was a surprise absence from the starting XI at Rugby Park and saw his place alongside Danny Wilson taken by former Raith Rovers defender David Bates.
Alves has struggled to get any consistent run of games with constant niggling injuries forcing the defender out of action fairly regularly.
Murty revealed the 94-times Portugal defender claimed he wasn’t feeling 100% with a groin problem so was left out of the side.
“Bruno was really honest with me. He said he felt something and didn’t feel 100 per cent,” Murty said, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“He said he would play if I wanted him to but I need a fully fit squad so I made the decision.
“We’ve big games coming up.”
The Gers host Motherwell on Wednesday before a trip across Glasgow to take on Old Firm rivals Celtic.
The Ibrox side are currently third in the Scottish Premiership and trail their bitter rivals by 11 points after a recent run of poor results from Murty’s side.
Alves missed the first Old Firm clash of the season as the Gers lost at Ibrox to Brendan Rodgers’ side and with a number of experienced players already ruled out, Murty will be desperate for the veteran defender to prove his fitness ahead of the Glasgow derby.
The 36-year-old has made 15 appearances for the Ibrox side since his summer move from Serie A club Cagliari.
In other Rangers news, four new signings are on the cards in January after the appointment of Graeme Murty until the end of the season.
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