Former Porto assistant manager Carlos Azenha has insisted that Bruno Alves must be made Rangers captain following his move to Ibrox.
Lee Wallace currently has hold of the captain’s armband, but Azenha believes that Alves’ winning tenacity makes him the best leader that Pedro Caixinha has in his squad.
Alves, 35, worked with Azenha, 50, in his spell at Porto, where the defender won four Portuguese league titles.
The new Ibrox veteran has made a habit of being a champion having also been part of successful Zenit and Fenerbahce squads in Russia and Turkey.
In addition to his league titles, Alves was also part of the Portugual squad that won Euro 2016 – and that kind of winning pedigree has led Azenha to call on Caixinha to make a ruthless decision to take the armband from 29-year-old Wallace.
“Rangers couldn’t have made a better signing, but Bruno needs to be the captain of the team,” he said, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“Every club needs a strong player to wear the armband.
“Teams who are successful and win trophies have great captains.
“You do not make over 90 appearances for your country if you do not have outstanding quality and character.”
Alves was the first of nine new players to have been signed by Rangers this summer, but is yet to make his debut for the club having spent the summer on international duty with Portugal at the Confederations Cup in Russia.
The Scottish Sun has reported that he is due to Gers training for the first time on Monday after being granted an extended rest period by Caixinha.