Report: Martin Skrtel could force Bruno Alves out of Rangers

Follow us on Google Discover

Bruno Alves could reportedly be on his way out of Ibrox if Steven Gerrard brings his former Liverpool teammate Martin Skrtel to Rangers.

After seven months of waiting, Rangers finally have a new permanent manager.

According to the BBC, Steven Gerrard has been announced as the successor to Pedro Caixinha on a four-year deal, the 37-year-old leaving his role in charge of Liverpool’s U18s for the first senior post of his managerial career.

And, as reported by the Sun, Gerrard already has big plans in mind.

It is understood that the former Liverpool captain is keen to reunite with his one-time Anfield teammate Martin Skrtel at Ibrox. The 33-year-old left Merseyside in 2016 but has been in terrific form for Fenerbahce in the last two seasons, showing that there is life in the old dog yet.

And the Sun adds that the arrival of the Slovakian centre-back could spell the end of Bruno Alves, who faces an uncertain future at Rangers despite having one year left on his contract.

Big things were expected of the 36-year-old Portuguese international when he arrived last summer from Cagliari but he has struggled to live up to expectations. Alves has started just 17 Scottish Premiership games this season, with the youthful Ross McCrorie and David Bates often chosen ahead of him.

And Alves has been frustrated at Ibrox, the lack of regular first-team starts potentially impacting his chances of playing for Portugal at this summer’s World Cup.

As the Sun points out, Skrtel’s arrival could be the final straw.