Rangers progressed to the third round of Europa League qualifying last night, after drawing with Croatian minnows NK Osijek 1-1 at Ibrox.
Steven Gerrard’s men were already 1-0 up after the first leg thanks to a goal from Alfredo Morelos, and the nerves were settled when summer signing Nikola Katic struck in the 53rd minute.
It was another positive performance from the Gers, who conceded the first goal of Gerrard’s tenure on the night, and there were some standout individual displays across the pitch.
One man in particular who had a fine evening was Daniel Candeias, who was took up a right wing position after recently being tried out centrally.
The 30-year-old was assured in possession, industrious and managed to successfully keep tabs on his man before being withdrawn late on by Gerrard.
The Portuguese was widely praised for his contributions on the night, with many feeling as though he should be picked to start in the new season over the likes of Josh Windass, Ryan Kent and Ovie Ojaria.
Last season the winger made 31 league appearances following his move from Benfica, and he will certainly have done his chances of adding many more to that tally under Gerrard no harm.
Some Rangers fans took to Twitter on the final whistle to voice their feelings about the impressive Candeias:
Another great performance from #Candyman 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
— – (@roastur) 2 August 2018
Man Love😍 pic.twitter.com/mi9DbkQnHG
— stumcq (@Mcqstu) 2 August 2018
Great performance @Dcandeias11
— James Leitch (@JimLeitch7) 2 August 2018
Candeias unbelievable too. No failures at all.
— Stephen Hendry (@Hen_Hen87) 2 August 2018
Ejaria & kent where pish, leave Candeias on and there wouldnt have been a goal kept there LB quiet all night. Arfield has to start on sunday
— David McQueen (@Davie_93) 2 August 2018
Left back scores as soon as candeias is off @Cjnovo992
— Brian (@brianbrad) 2 August 2018
Candeias simply must play in that position. By far the most effective player we have there. Wrong decision to take him off for Windass tbh. But hey ho.
— Andy McKellar (@AMcKellar89) 2 August 2018
That goal wouldn’t have been conceded if Candeias had been kept on
— Arnold Black (@ArnoldBlack1) 2 August 2018
Thought Candeias was outstanding. Windass needs to play in the slot behind Morelos. He’s not and never has been a winger
— TheDayOfTheBeast (@IIIl_BEAST_lIII) 2 August 2018
Candelas stays on the park, that’s not a goal
— JayDubya (@caluju) 2 August 2018
Yes the goal came down our right side after Candeias was subd.
— silverbear (@rick0706) 2 August 2018
Kent ran his socks off. Katic/Goldson absolute rocks at the back.Ryan Jack was superb, as was Candeias. Morelos’ hold up play was terrific.
— missteeray™ (@missteeray) 3 August 2018
Candeias has an incredible work ethic for his team mates, Ryan Jack phenomenal, Kent will rip teams to shreds in our league with that directness and two-footedness but the hunger and desire he has instilled into us is there for all to see ❤️🇬🇧
— Kendal ®™ (@Kendal__RFC) 3 August 2018