Rangers winger Candeias says Caixinha sacking was not manager’s fault

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Rangers winger Daniel Candeias has opened up on Pedro Caixinha’s disappointing spell at Ibrox.

Rangers winger Daniel Candeias has been quoted by the Daily Record as saying that former manager Pedro Caixinha should not shoulder all of the blame for his sacking earlier this season.

Caixinha was axed just six months into his spell as Rangers manager that included lows such as being knocked out of the Europa League, a Betfred Cup semi-final loss to Motherwell and finishing third behind Aberdeen.

Since then, Rangers have moved back into second place under Graeme Murty with the former Reading defender given the job until the end of the season, with talk of a title race rife as the Gers sit nine points behind Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Talking to a Portuguese manager, as quoted by the Daily Record, 29-year-old winger Candeias claimed that the Rangers players should also take some blame for his fellow countryman’s sacking.

“Pedro personally invited me to Rangers so I have a lot to thank him for,” Candeias said. “The problems started with the Europa League. There was a lot of expectation because it was Rangers’ return to Europe. But the loss in Luxembourg shook everyone.

“Then we lost in the League Cup semi-final and that made it really complicated for him. When the fans want so much to win, less time is given. I think that’s what betrayed him.

“We had a good team with good players, but coaches live and die on results. It was not his fault. We players also have to take responsibility for what happened.”

Candeias is one of the first names on the Rangers team sheet at the moment, forming a deadly attacking-midfield trio alongside Josh Windass and Jamie Murphy behind powerhouse striker Alfredo Morelos.

He has had a hand in 13 goals during his 32 league and cup appearances this term, scoring five and turning provider on a further eight occasions and he is expected to feature on Saturday.

Rangers take on Craig Levein’s Hearts at Ibrox in what will be a difficult test, as they look to close the gap with Celtic facing a tough fixtures against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.