Bruno Alves insists missing start of pre-season is no concern as he is in peak shape

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Alves is in Russia preparing to play for Portugal in the Confederations Cup and he says he always misses the beginning of pre-season.

 

Bruno Alves has reassured Rangers they shouldn't worry about him missing out pre-season at his new club - because he's done it throughout his career.

 

The veteran Portugal defender is in Russia preparing to play in the Confederations Cup - a pre-World Cup rehearsal for which his nation qualified as European champions.

 

It means he will miss out most of Rangers' pre-season preparations ahead of countryman's Pedro Caixinha's first full season in charge.

 

But Alves, 35, isn't bothered by missing pre-season in Glasgow because it's a regular occurrence for him.

 

He pointed out: "I have played in plenty of World Cups and European Championships - I always arrive back at a club after they have started their pre-season and it's the same at Rangers."These are the adjustments that the teams I play for have to respect."There is no problem for me to come back and play because I am fit.

 

"For me, it's exciting to be back in Russia and to play in a competition I've never been in before."It's a special competition because there are many champions of every continent here."We believe we are good enough to win it. If you are the champions of Europe, then you deserve the right to be respected."

 

And despite seeing it all in the game, Alves revealed there's still one man he's in awe of.

 

He said: "There are no words for my respect for Cristiano Ronaldo."He wins everything he enters."He is an absolute idol ... even for us players too."

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/veteran-rangers-defender-bruno-alves-10626480