The Portuguese veteran has more experience than the entire Rangers squad put together and when fit has proved he still has the quality to make it at Ibrox.
Bruno Alves, 36, has been heavily linked with a move away from Rangers this month, as reported by the Daily Record.
Having signed Russell Martin, the Ibrox club are believed to be willing to part ways with their marquee summer arrival, who is set to be side-lined until late February after picking up an injury in December’s 0-0 draw against Celtic.
Rangers fans did not hold back from giving the Portuguese stick for limping off so early against Celtic. However, for a player who is desperate to make his country’s World Cup squad for the summer, it is foolish to suggest the injury was not genuine and that the veteran was shying away from the derby opportunity.
With Russia 2018 in mind, Rangers fans should know that when fit, Alves will be giving it his all in a bid for a spot in Fernando Santos’ squad.
Besides his quality on the pitch, Alves is also by far the most experienced player in the Rangers squad. The 36-year-old has nearly 100 caps for his country and is a Euro champion, while he has picked up 15 trophies at club level.
These experienced heads are the exact type that can have a huge impact at the Old Firm clubs, despite perhaps having to manage their minutes on the pitch.
Look at Kolo Toure at Celtic last season for an example. The Ivorian signed for Celtic aged 35, having played at the highest level for the best part of two decades.
Despite only playing 17 games for the Celts, the seasoned Ivorian veteran played a huge role within the Hoops dressing room, helping Brendan Rodgers’ side to an emphatic unbeaten domestic treble winning season.
With Rangers looking to bridge the gap between Celtic and compete for silverware once again, having winners like Alves in their squad is imperative.
The signing of Russell Martin should not be seen as a direct replacement for Alves, but instead as a chance to relieve pressure on the Portuguese, allowing him to manage his games better.
Admittedly, it is a risk to hand your hopes on the fitness of a player in his mid-to-late 30s, just as Rangers did with Clint Hill last season, but the influence that players such as this have on the club’s youngsters is invaluable.
Ranger’s youngster Ross McCrorie, 19, has spoken of his admiration for Alves and about how much the veteran has helped him along his path of development.
Following the teenager’s horrendous performance against Hamilton Academicals earlier this season, McCrorie explained that it was Alves who came to console him and let him know that mistakes happen.
According to the Daily Record McCrorie said: “The Hamilton game was pretty disastrous for me. I didn’t enjoy it at all but it happens – there are going to be mistakes.
“When we came back to training Bruno spoke to me. He said it was all about my reaction now and told me to be confident again.
“”Bruno said he’d done something similar. It meant a lot coming from a guy like him who has won a Euros medal.
“It made me feel better and realise that mistakes are natural. It will make me a better player.
“I’m so thankful he spoke to me. He’s been great with me and has a wealth of experience. He and Danny Wilson help me during games.”
McCrorie’s praise of Alves alone is enough evidence of the veteran’s positive influence on the squad.
Should Rangers allow him to leave, it may well be a decision that manager Graeme Murty comes to regret, with the Portuguese evidently prepared to give his all in the remainder of the season once his fitness is regained.
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