When Daniel Candeias left Rangers in July, it came as a big surprise to many of the club’s supporters.
The 31-year-old, a rare inspired Pedro Caixinha signing, made 52 appearances in Light Blue across 2018/19 [Soccerbase]. That means he missed just eight of the Gers’ 60 games in all competitions.
Yet, it seems that after a wide player recruitment drive, Steven Gerrard couldn’t guarantee a similar situation ahead of this campaign.
Therefore, he opted to join Genclerbirligi in the Turkish Super Lig, for guaranteed playing time.
So far, though, things aren’t going as he would have hoped.
Former Rangers favourite Candeias off to tough start
The Portuguese has made seven league appearances and is yet to score for his new club, with just a solitary assist to his name so far [Soccerbase].
The Ankara-based outfit look set for a long season. They were promoted courtesy of a second-place finish in the TFF First League last season, but they are as yet winless in the top flight.
On Saturday evening, they mustered an impressive point at home against champions Galatasaray, with Candeias playing the full 90 minutes.
Yet, they are firmly in the relegation spots at this early juncture. With just three points to their name, only goal difference is keeping them off rock bottom [Soccerway].
It looks like Candeias has a real battle on his hands having opted to leave Ibrox. His application has never been in doubt, though, it’s his end product which was never quite consistent enough.
