Pedro Caixinha has wasted little time in his Ibrox rebuilding project. Rangers have announced two new signings in as many days this week.

Both Ryan Jack and Bruno Alves bring added experience to this Gers squad. They also add a strength to the side’s spine.

Former Aberdeen captain Jack has experience of the league and has combative qualities that will give the midfield extra bite. His no-nonsense attitude reminds me of Celtic’s Scott Brown and Rangers need that kind of spirit in their engine room.

I think it’s important that Rangers look beyond Britain as they look for new recruits, Mark Warburton’s lack of contacts beyond our shores proved one of his biggest failings in my opinion. But you still need a strong Scottish identity and bring in players that weaken your opposition when you can.

Pedro has been quite clear from the start that he really wanted to bring in Ryan Jack as he admired the central midfielder’s qualities.

He told the Ranger’s website that he felt the Scotsman would offer qualities that would enhance his team:

“I also believe that we identified in him something that we need in our midfield which is leadership and understanding the game in terms of being the balance player who builds from the back, who switches the play, who releases the full backs and allows all the offensive players to go up the park with more freedom.”

Caixinha is right to focus on players that have leadership traits and who can give the side more balance.

Too many times last season the Gers midfield seemed confused and light, Jack should help in offering a smart brain who can see things as they develop on the pitch. He is also one of those players who will always give his all for the team.

In Bruno Alves, Rangers have signed a veteran defender who has s very strong CV.

They’ve also brought in a commanding central defender and one who isn’t scared of confrontation.

In the games against Celtic last term, too many Gers players lacked a fighting spirit needed to compete in Old Firm clashes. Sometimes you need someone who will throw himself into the battle, make hard challenges and win his fair share of headers. In Alves they’ll get that type of warrior at the back.

Yes the Portuguese Euro 2016 winner has a reckless side and can produce very naughty tackles on occasion but Rangers need that kind of player in this squad (as long as he doesn’t go over the top too often). Domestically on average he’s only picked up one red card per season in the last three years.

The international defender has played in top leagues and with big clubs in FC Porto, Zenit, Fenerbahce and Cagliari. So I don’t think the size of Rangers will intimidate the strong centre-back.

Alves might be thirty-five but that’s still younger than Clint Hill, who was probably the best defender at Ibrox last season. It should also be noted that Alves managed thirty-six Serie A starts last term.

Bruno Alves also boasts a winning pedigree. The six foot two defender has won league titles in Portugal, Russia and Turkey and was obviously part of the Portuguese squad that secured the European Championships last summer!

Pedro Caixinha was quick to highlight Bruno’s winning spirit as being a major plus for his team:

“What is important is that he is a winner with a winning mentality and that is something we all want, to put the club on a winning track again”

Caixinha has clearly came in and looked at Rangers and noticed that his squad’s spine looked weak and lacked character. That’s why he’s come in and brought in two player’s that are leaders, that have a passion for the game and will get into the faces of the opposition.

It’s been heavily reported that Mexican international Carlos Pena will be the Glasgow giant’s third summer signing of the week.

I don’t know as much about the twenty-seven year old midfielder. He doesn’t seem to possess those leadership qualities that Jack and Alves do but he does seem to be energetic and a player who will fit into Pedro’s style. Pena has been described as being a bit of a character back in his homeland and characters are well loved at Ibrox as long as they give their all for the badge.

So I have to say I’ve been impressed by Caixinha’s first captures as it shows that he understands the problems that he’s inherited from the previous management regime.

On paper these sort of signings should help Rangers clinch second place next year and close the gap on Celtic. But as we know football isn’t played on paper, Pedro needs to get the most from his players and find the right tactics to consistently beat teams in the Scottish Premiership.

As they say ‘the proof is in the pudding!’

Posted on June 1st, 2017 by scott
Filed under: Article