Bruno Alves never really got going during his time at Rangers.
He was a big name signing, that’s for sure.
A European Championships winner with Portugal and multiple league winner in Portugal, Russia and Turkey, he came with a big reputation.
Alves was part of Portugal’s 2018 World Cup squad. (Photo by FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP/Getty Images)
Unfortunately, due to niggling injuries and lack of form, he never did himself justice.
He left on a free in the summer, to join Parma Calcio, who had just been promoted to Serie A.
Ever since, his fortunes have somewhat improved.
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In fact, he was made club captain upon arrival.
Injury has stayed at bay so far, with the centre-back appearing in all but one of his new side’s league fixtures. His only absence was due to a suspension.
Across 18 appearances, he has led Parma to a very respectable tally of six clean sheets. Especially good, considering it’s been a while since their last stint in the top tier.
The veteran wears the armband in the San Siro, against AC Milan. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
He has also added two crucially important goals. The first turned out to be the winner against Sassuolo and the second, rescued a draw against Chievo.
By the winter break, Alves’ Parma sat a comfortable twelfth in Serie A.
Should Rangers have tried to keep him?
Despite his current form, it’s still unlikely Steven Gerrard wishes he had kept the veteran defender.
Clearly, Serie A has a much higher pedigree than the SPL.
Yet, scrapping for results in lower-mid table is a different proposition to challenging for silverware.
He made just 20 league appearances during his time at Ibrox. (Photo by Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Alves simply didn’t show enough during his solitary season at Ibrox, to suggest that he was worth a punt for Gerrard going forward.
One things for sure though, he’s proving he’s still a very capable operator.
