Candeias captained Rangers as they beat HJK Helsinki in friendly on Sunday.
Daniel Candeias impressed during Rangers’ 3-2 win over HJK Helsinki in a friendly played at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon as he netted the winner – and Bruno Alves applauded the winger on Instagram.
The 30-year-old has been in impressive form for the Gers after winning last season’s Player of the Year award, scoring five and creating five more in 31 league and cup appearances.
Rangers earned a narrow win over Alfredo Morelos’ former side at Ibrox, thanks to goals from Scott Arfield, Nikola Katic and Candeias, who profited from a terrible mistake from Helsinki’s goalkeeper to slam a left-footed effort into the corner.
Candeias posted on Instagram after the match, declaring his pride at captaining Steven Gerrard’s men in the win over the Finnish outfit – just days after becoming a father once again.
Arfield broke the deadlock with a neat finish after good work from Morelos, but Kevin Kouassivi-Benissan equalised just after the restart. Katic restored the lead after the break, heading home Borna Barisic’s corner.
But Helsinki equalised soon after, again. Lassi Lappalainen got on the end of a long ball, scoring past Robby McCrorie. But it was Candeias who provided the telling touch, lashing home the winner in the 75th minute.
Former Rangers defender Alves, who is currently captaining Serie A side Parma, was full of praise for his fellow countryman, stating that he is “always supporting” him.
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