BRUNO ALVES is being hailed as the saviour of Rangers before he’s even played a single game for his new club.

Well, perhaps not a saviour. But at least the guy in defence who will clear his lines, successfully mark opponents at set-pieces and find a team-mate with a pass rather than setting up the other team for an attack.

It’s not asking a lot.

For Rangers to do anything this season, Alves will need to be good. The guy remains a class act and should be the dominating, organising centre-half that team has been screaming out for.

Read more: Bruno Alves: Give Pedro Caixinha time to prove he is the right man for Rangers

The Portuguese was on holiday when his new side went out of Europe and spoke about being up to “maximum power” for when the league campaign begins.

And if the supporters and his team-mates are looking to this former Porto, Zenit St Petersburg and Fenerbache man to lead the way, well then his broad shoulders can cope with that.

Alves said: “I don’t feel pressure because of my experience and what I’m like in myself. I come here to help, to give the best of me and when you give your best then good things will come.

“I’ve always had responsibility in football. Most of the time I play for titles and this brings you a lot of responsibility. It’s the same in the national team where we have very difficult games, qualification campaigns, World Cups, Confederation Cups.

“All the time it’s very difficult games and when you play as a defender you have extra responsibility. You lose a goal and it can put you in or out of the team.

“I am prepared. I come from three generations of football players. My father played in Brazil for Flamenco my uncle played for the Brazilian national team and Flamenco too.

Read more: Bruno Alves: Give Pedro Caixinha time to prove he is the right man for Rangers

"My grandfather played professionally in Brazil also. My brothers and cousins are all professional and it’s something I respect. It’s my job and I give my best. I know what to expect.”

There won’t have been much Alves hasn’t experienced in his career but this season is going to be something of a first.

Rangers is hardly the first club he’s played with for which winning is everything. Rarely if ever has been in a team which has found winning so difficult. Alves is a player, no question about it, but just one man isn’t going to stop Celtic.

Alves said: “I think we need to think about ourselves, about Rangers and what we can do. The way we can prepare for the Premiership and so on.

“I came here to win. Almost all of the clubs I played for I won and this is my expectation for Rangers now I am here. I hope that, altogether, we can do something good.”

He is far from alone in hoping that.

Alves, who spoke perfect English, looked in decent nick, but he is 35 now and admitted yesterday has played the best part of two years of football without any real break.

He’s not been brought in to be a fringe player, the experienced man who won’t play every week to save those legs.

No, the 93-times capped Portuguese international is at Rangers to be the main man.

Read more: Bruno Alves: Give Pedro Caixinha time to prove he is the right man for Rangers

Alves said: “I feel really good at this moment. I played for the national team in the Confederations Cup and I have played a lot. At this moment I think day by day and I a focussing on this year.

“I cannot focus on what’s going to happen in two or three years because this day is most important for me.

“What is coming is important but I feel really good in myself and my body with my experience and the way I am training I am getting good feedback every day.”

There has been a clamour for Alves to take over as captain from Lee Wallace. He wasn't having any of that.

Alves said: "No, no, we already have captains in the team. I think they have more experience of leading the team and helping me to be better and play better here.

"I am just thinking of preparing myself, staying fit and doing my job."

One former Ranger, a man who knew a bit about leading from the back, Richard Gough believes his old club have won a watch in signing Alves.

The Nine in a row sipper said: "Well, I think his CV speaks for itself. I watched him at the Confederations Cup and he looks like he didn’t break sweat. He was pretty comfortable against some of the best players in the world.

Read more: Bruno Alves: Give Pedro Caixinha time to prove he is the right man for Rangers

"He’ll just definitely benefit us. I know he is Portuguese and people are saying he’s a foreigner blah, blah, blah. But all the other players will look up to him because of what he has achieved in the game and he has achieved a lot.

“Let’s hope he keeps himself injury free because he is 35, he’s not a spring chicken anymore, but he looks very strong and dominant.

“I think he’ll be a major impact on the team defensive-wise anyway and that’s what they need.

“I think Rangers at this moment in time need a few strong characters and leaders and I think there is no doubt that he will bring that to the party.”

Rangers face Marseille in a glamour friendly at Ibrox this Saturday, July 22 with a 3pm kick-off.

Tickets for the game are on sale now priced £15 for adults, £10 for concessions and £5 for kids from www.rangers.co.uk, Rangers Ticket Centre or calling 0871 702 1972*