RICHARD GOUGH has backed Bruno Alves to be a leader on the park – and a role model off it.

The Portuguese star is poised to make his Rangers bow in tomorrow’s glamour friendly against French cracks Marseille at Ibrox.

The 35-year-old has emerged as a key figure among the eight new players signed by boss Pedro Caixinha this summer.

And nine-in-row legend Gough is convinced he will have an important role to play this season.

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

He said: “His CV speaks for itself. He’s got 95 Portuguese caps and 
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.
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 he will bring that to the party.”

Gough is dismissive of any notions that Alves’s age will be a factor during a relentless Scottish domestic season.

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

Indeed, he reckons his fitness will be a shining example to younger players of how the modern footballer has to stay in top nick.

Speaking at the Rangers Soccer School’s summer holiday course at the Ibrox Complex, he told the club website: “They just need to look at him and where he has got to, 95 caps for Portugal. 

“It will help Lee Wallace as well, it will help all the defenders just to look at him and how he goes about his business.

“You don’t get to 35 and at the top level of the game without looking after yourself really well.

“As a younger player that’s what you’ve got to do, you’ve got to look at the older players that you think will be a good influence for you.

“I used to look at Graeme Souness and try and take things off him when I was a young player in the Scottish team, so there is nothing wrong with nicking a few things off senior players.”