“He will be one of the best players in the team”: Pereira delivers glowing verdict on Rangers summer signing
By Matt Farr
Portuguese manager Vitor Pereira believes Bruno Alves will prove a fantastic signing for Rangers this season.
The 35-year-old defender was snapped up by the Scottish club on a two-year-deal from Cagliari earlier this summer, becoming the first signing of Pedro Caixinha’s mass overhaul of the first-team squad at Ibrox.
Alves brings vast experience from his decorated CV and international reputation, having represented several high-profile European sides, including Porto, Zenit St Petersburg and Fenerbahce.
A 90-time international, the centre-back was also part of the Portugal senior squad that won the European Championship last year.
Pereira, who worked alongside Alves at Fenerbahce, expects the defender to swiftly become a key player under Caixinha at Rangers.
He told the Evening Times: “He is a top, top player. He is a very good professional, and I already know he will be one of the best players in the Rangers team for sure – and in the Scottish league. I am convinced about this.
“When he was with me at Fenerbahce, he played almost the whole season without missing a game, and it was the same for the team he was playing for in Italy last season.
“He has the condition and the experience to be a great player for the team in his own right but he can also help the players out and help the coach out in terms of leadership. He will be a very good leader for the team.”
Pereira’s glowing verdict of Alves’ talents will come as a welcome boost to Rangers fans, who have sat back and watched as their new manager wiped clean the slate in the first-team squad.
Caixinha has already announced six new signings, with Ryan Jack, Fabio Cardoso, Dalcio, Daniel Candeias and Alfredo Morelos following Alves through the door at Ibrox.
However, aside from a familiar face in Jack, who played for rivals Aberdeen last term, Alves represents arguably the only household name of Rangers’ new recruits.
Fans of the Scottish club will likely have concerns as to the potential ability of the likes of Dalcio and Morelos, but should have no reservations over a proven player like Alves.
In other Rangers news, another Rangers transfer is imminent after an international attacker makes this Twitter revelation.
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