New signing Daniel Candeias is very much a counter attacking player – which suggests the days of slow, possession based build up are over at Rangers.
Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha
Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha will know exactly what to expect from his fifth summer signing. After all, he knows Daniel Candeias well from their time together in Portugal with Nacional.
In fact, the nomadic 29-year-old enjoyed arguably the most impressive season of his career under the 46-year-old, netting a seven goals from the wing as the Madeira-based outfit finished seventh in the table.
And, according to the Daily Record, Candeias will be hoping to rediscover that form at Ibrox after sealing a £700,000 move from Benfica.
Daniel Candeias in action for Nacional
However, while Caixinha will be excited at the prospect of making good use of the former Portugal international’s composure in possession and dead-ball delivery, he will also be fully aware of Candeias’ limitations.
The attacker set up just four goals in 29 league games on loan at Turkish side Antalyaspor last season and, in truth, he is not the sort of player capable of carving apart opposition backlines. In fact, in the last three years, Candeias has only produced seven assists.
Though calm and intelligent in possession, the former Porto youngster lacks that stroke of inspiration to make the difference against crowded opposition backlines.
What he does bring to the table, however, is impressive pace and the willingness to run at defenders on the counter attack. He is a player far more at home in rapid transitions than the methodical, possession based build up favoured by previous Rangers manager Mark Warburton.
Caixinha’s signings suggest Rangers are moving away from Warburton’s patient build-up
Therefore, his addition, plus the arrival of the aggressive, jet-heeled Dalcio, perhaps suggests that Rangers fans can expect to see a more counter attacking gameplan under Caixinha next season.
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