Rangers should have no regrets over signing Bruno Alves, even as he exits.
Bruno Alves is on the verge of leaving Rangers Gianluca di Marzio reporting an agreement is in place with Parma.
Alves was a disappointment in his one and only season at Ibrox after joining from Cagliari and it is good business to get him off their wage bill.
But despite Rangers’ calling it quits on Alves after only one year, they should have no regrets about signing him.
Last year when he signed, Alves was just what they needed, or appeared to be.
Alves had succeeded everywhere he had played, and despite his age, there was reason to believe the Portugal international could transition easily to Scottish football, especially fully motivated in a World Cup year.
As it was, Alves made the Portugal squad despite his disappointing season, which saw him dropped for the club’s Scottish Cup semi-final.
Alves was signed by former boss Pedro Caixinha, and it was a move which added up at the time.
Caixinha was a Portuguese national and it made sense to have a well decorated defender acting as his voice on the pitch and leading the dressing room.
He gave fans a lift last summer and added belief that last season’s squad could challenge for trophies. It showed Rangers can still attract big name talent, albeit those at the tail end of their careers.
Sadly Alves was unable to suceeed by example, but Rangers are not to blame for that.
Steven Gerrard now has fresh ideas and Alves is not a part of them and will be allowed to move on.
Once again it is the right call, just as it was to take a shot on him a year ago. There is no shame in swinging and missing, especially when you are able to cut ties after just one season.
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