Rangers caretaker Graeme Murty explains Bruno Alves’ absence

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Glasgow Rangers were without Bruno Alves for the Ibrox side’s second clash with their Scottish Premiership rivals this week.

Ahead of Rangers’ game against Aberdeen on Sunday, Graeme Murty told Rangers’ official YouTube channel that Bruno Alves would miss the game at Pittodrie because of an injury he sustained when the two teams met in midweek.

Alves has endured a difficult few weeks due to suspension and injury, and made his return to the Gers side on Wednesday to help Murty’s men to an emphatic 3-0 win over the Dons that moved them to within three points of the side in the Scottish Premiership table.

The Portuguese got through the entire match at Ibrox, so it may have taken some supporters by surprise when he was missing from the squad for the rematch, with David Bates taking his place in the starting lineup alongside Danny Wilson.

But Murty explained that he did indeed sustain an injury in the midweek win, and that is why he is missing from the squad that faced Aberdeen on Sunday.

“It’s an enforced change,” he told Rangers’ official YouTube channel.

“Bruno picked a knock up on Wednesday evening, which is unfortunate for him and us because I thought he was outstanding in the game, but it’s an opportunity for David to step up and actually go and shine.”

With Alves reminding the fans of his quality in midweek, Murty, or whoever is in charge of the Gers by the time of their next game, will be hoping that the problem is not serious.

The squad is likely to be stretched over the coming weeks, so having a player of Alves’ quality and experience back as soon as possible could go a long way to helping Rangers capitalise on the momentum that they have gained with their last couple of results.