Rangers

Alves must start v Hearts

|
Image for Alves must start v Hearts

OPINION

Graeme Murty’s pre-match press conference for Rangers v Hearts this weekend passed without anything of much note being said. 

Or, that’s what it may have seemed like.

One piece of crucial information was however confirmed, and Murty must capitalise on it to secure an important three points this weekend.

Veteran centre-back Bruno Alves is back in contention to play after spending several weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Alves has been missing since limping off during Rangers’ 0-0 Old Firm derby draw against Celtic, and he must be brought back into the starting XI on Saturday.

Rangers are coming in off a good win last weekend, with Josh Windass scoring a hat-trick alongside goals from Alfredo Morelos and Jamie Murphy to secure a 5-3 win over Hamilton Academical.

However, while the Gers attack was on fire, the defence somehow shipped three goals, and a team like Hearts will not be as forgiving as Accies were.

With players like Kyle Lafferty and the returning Steven Naismith in attack, the Jambos will be dangerous, and Rangers cannot afford to be weak at the back.

Young David Bates put in a distinctly average performance alongside Russell Martin, and unfortunately it should be him to make way.

A veteran centre-back partnership of Alves and Russell Martin will be extremely solid, with the two players’ combining experience from 29 seasons in professional football.

One worry may be pace, but the Hearts front line is not exactly the quickest, and so that should not particularly be a problem for Alves and Martin.

One stat that proves Alves’ importance is Rangers’ record in the league with and without him this season, with a definite trend emerging.

With Alves in the team, Rangers have played 14, won eight, drawn four and lost two.

With the Portugal international not playing, Rangers have played 13, won eight and lost five.

The Light Blues are quite clearly a lot more solid when Alves is in the side, with several losses coming without the big enforcer.

And, if there was ever a game that Rangers needed to win this season so far, it is on Saturday.

A win against Hearts would put the Gers just six points behind Celtic ahead of the Hoops’ clash with Aberdeen on Sunday, and would really put the pressure on after their dismal European exit in midweek.

Anything other than a win and the pressure is instantly relieved, and that could spell the end of Rangers’ title challenge for this season.

Alves is key to the three points on Saturday, and Murty must realise that and capitalise on his return, or the consequences could be huge.

Share this article