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.
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.
