Chris Sutton has claimed that powerhouse Rangers defender Bruno Alves could push for a January exit from Ibrox.
Alves was recruited in the summer by former Gers boss Pedro Caixinha, with the Portuguese international joining from Italian side Cagliari on a free transfer.
The 36-year-old has had a tough time at Ibrox so far, with his 11 appearances punctuated by a two-match ban for a clash with Motherwell’s Lewis Moult as the Light Blues lost in the League Cup semi-finals.
Former Celtic striker Sutton has now come out and said that Alves could look for an early exit from Ibrox in January, after just half a season with the Gers.
Speaking on BT Sport at the weekend, as quoted by the Scottish Sun, Sutton said: “Alves is an interesting one at the moment for me. He’s injured but you can see him thinking, ‘In January, I want off.’”
Sutton’s comments come after reports emerged last week suggesting Alves had refused to sit on the bench for Hamilton’s visit to Ibrox, but caretaker Graeme Murty rubbished those claims as Alves missed out with a back injury.
As quoted by the Sun, Murty said: “You are impugning the character of a European champion, the integrity of a person who is a consummate professional. More importantly, to the player, it is properly out of order.
“I’ve told him the club are strongly denying everything. Bruno is not incensed but his words were that, in all his career, he has never once refused when a coach has asked him to play any part in a squad.”
OPINION
After all those false reports emerged surrounding Alves’ exclusion from the Hamilton match, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Portuguese push for a move away in January. Having your integrity questioned by several press outlets in a country you are new to must have been frustrating and saddening for Alves. On the other hand, Alves is most likely a very high earner at Ibrox, and getting rid of him may ease some pressure and allow the new manager to bring in new recruits. Caixinha’s heavy summer recruitment may mean that the new boss is short of cash to start with, and letting Alves go would be a way to remedy that.