Bruno Alves is back training after missing Glasgow Rangers’ last two games, so should he come back for the Ibrox side’s next two games?
Bruno Alves has handed Pedro Caixinha a boost ahead of Rangers’ return to action next weekend by declaring himself fit for Portugal’s World Cup qualifiers, as reported by The Scottish Sun.
Alves missed the Gers’ last two games due to a calf injury sustained in the League Cup win over Partick Thistle in September, and in his absence, the Light Blues endured a mixed time.
Defeat in the first Old Firm game of the season was followed by an impressive 4-1 win away at Hamilton in the Scottish Premiership to leave Caixinha’s men third in the table.
So if Alves is indeed fit enough to come back into Caixinha’s thinking for the trip to St Johnstone, should the Portuguese get his chance?
The 35-year-old has been an important member of the squad since arriving in the summer, bringing a wealth of experience that will only benefit the squad by the time he leaves Ibrox.
In his absence, Ross McCrorie has done well, but perhaps the two starts he has made just hints that he may not be ready for regular first-team football just yet – he failed to clear the ball before Celtic’s first goal in the Old Firm game and his tired challenge saw Hamilton given a penalty last time out.
Meanwhile, Alves and Fabio Cardoso have formed a solid partnership already, and getting Alves back in the fold ahead of the League Cup semi-final the week after the trip to St Johnstone may be an extremely wise move from Caixinha.
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