Bruno Alves could hand in Rangers transfer request with lack of game time mounting

Bruno Alves could table a transfer request to Rangers in January if a lack of game time threatens his chances of a World Cup campaign with Portugal.

The 35-year-old defender was brought to Ibrox on a free contract last May and was the first signing of Pedro Caixinha, whose short-lived attempt to reconstruct the playing squad came to an end when he was sacked in October.

With the failure of Rangers’ attempt to prise Derek McInnes from Aberdeen, the managerial hiatus at Ibrox will continue at least until New Year, a prospect which has alarmed Alves. Injury kept him out of Rangers’ 3-0 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie last Sunday and he has only played in 13 of the club’s 19 fixtures this season.

It was reported that Alves had refused to be on the bench when Rangers lost to Hamilton on November 18, an account that was vigorously denied by the club, with interim manager, Graeme Murty, stating that the player had suffered a fall in training.

The fact remains, however, that Alves has not been a fixture in Murty’s sides and, while expressing regard for the caretaker boss, the player also revealed his concern for his place in the Portugal squad, ahead of a summer schedule in Russia which includes a group stage collision with Spain.

Asked if he had any conversation with Murty about his position at Rangers, Alves said: “He just spoke with me before the first game I stayed on the bench, but I always respect decisions. I am a professional player.

“I also respect all the other players who are fighting for the position, but I have my own ambition. I am still playing for the national team and I need to play. We have a World Cup soon and I need to play and be fit. This is important for me, not just to help Rangers, but I also want to help myself to go to the World Cup.

“I like to play. If I don’t have space here or if I don’t play, I need to think about my future or about what’s going to happen next. I am happy playing.

“I respect everybody. I don’t want to be a problem to anybody, I want to be a solution. Have I been at a club without a manager for this long? No.

“I don't have any regrets. Pedro was responsible for me coming to Rangers - but I already knew all about the club.

“It was my personal choice to come here, to help the team be better and achieve the position the club had in the past. That's what we all want - to put Rangers in the right place.”