Rangers already have one eye on their upcoming Europa League quarter-final clash with Braga but the game takes on added significance given the latest from manager Carlos Carvalhal.
Some Gers supporters may recognise the Portuguese coach from his time in England, where he spent spells in charge of Sheffield Wednesday and then Swansea City, whom he managed in the Premier League.
In charge of Braga since 2020 – appointed after Rangers staged a fantastic comeback to knock the club out of the same tournament – Carlos Carvalhal will leave the club he played for in the summer.
“My contract with Braga ends at the end of the season. In two months I will be a free coach,” said Carlos Carvalhal [Scottish Sun].
“I worked at Besiktas and Basaksehir. Turkey is always an option for me.
“I still know a few words in Turkish and I love the country.
“If there is a good project, I would like to come back.
“I’ve been getting some offers from European clubs, but for now I’m focusing on Braga. We’ll see what happens.
“We are having a great season, just like last year. We played in two cup finals and did well in the Europa League.
“Then some key players left and it was necessary to build a new team.
“We did that with many youngsters, we are fourth in the League and in the Europa League, we eliminated Sheriff Tiraspol, who beat Shakhtar Donetsk and Real Madrid in the Champions League.
“We play Rangers in the quarter-finals and of course, we dream big.”
Carlos Carvalhal eyes Rangers send-off with Braga
A coach with a wide-range of experience across the European game, Carvalhal’s journey has taken him to the biggest clubs in Portugal and then on to Turkey and England.
The fact the former centre-back – who spent his entire playing career in his homeland – is set to leave Braga come the summer adds extra significance to the Rangers match.
Carlos Carvalhal will be determined to leave his stint at Braga on a high and as he explains himself he is dreaming “big” when it comes to the tournament.
Rangers defeated Borussia Dortmund and Red Star Belgrade – who topped Braga’s group during the earlier stage of the tournament – whilst their Portuguese rivals defeated Sheriff Tiraspol and AS Monaco to reach the Quarters.
Meanwhile, a Rangers fan favourite could be set to make his debut for his national team in what is being billed as a “massive” World Cup qualifying clash.
