FOR journeyman footballers, the old joke goes that they are said to have had more clubs than Jack Nicklaus, and there is little doubt that Daniel Candeias had been over course and distance before his arrival at his 14th club, Rangers, in the summer.

Now though, the Portuguese winger says he has finally found a place that feels like his footballing home, and he wants to hang around long enough to prove that he belongs at a club of such stature after being deemed surplus to requirements by the giants of his homeland, Porto and Benfica.

“When I signed for Benfica it was always going to be difficult to play regularly,” Candeias said. “I think I have the quality to play there but the coach felt it was important for me to get games.

“I don’t like moving a lot, but I didn’t have much choice in the matter. I have moved about a lot because the big teams in Portugal always send out their players on loan.

“Now I am settled at Rangers and the stability is important for me. I’m very happy here and you normally you can play your best football when you are settled. I want to stay here for more than one season.”

Despite the departure of Carlos Pena along with previous manager Pedro Caixinha, there was never any real danger of Candeias sliding out of the first-team picture at Ibrox due to the man who signed him being shown the door.

While sad to see the man who took him to Rangers go, Candeias’ priority has always been to focus on giving his best for the club, not for his manager.

“I have a contract with the club, not Pedro,” he said. “My heart is with Rangers not the coach. I wasn’t worried any more than any of the other players when the coach left.

“The coach left because of the results. What happened in the Europa League was a catastrophe. After everything that had happened at this club, and then for us to be back in the Europa League, that was a major blow.

“All coaches, they live and die by their results, so while I didn’t want him to leave, the results meant it was difficult for him. I’ve got to thank him for bringing me to this great club. I’m very happy here, and I want to continue to play well here.”

Current Rangers manager Graeme Murty has meanwhile confirmed Ryan Jack is unlikely to be in action for Rangers again this season, after undergoing surgery on his knee.

“We’re hopeful but it is very unlikely,” said Murty. “It’s a blow for us. He’d been doing really well. It’s a blow for him. I think you saw from his journey to playing for Rangers that he was desperate to come to us, desperate to be on this stage, desperate to wear the shirt.

“He’s had a significant setback. What we have to make sure is that when he does come back in the squad, he comes into a vibrant, positive enthusiastic area that enhances his game and really takes his game to the next level, as we try to do with all our players.”