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Just under a week on from his sacking, freelance sports writer Kyle Gunn, looks at the main reasons why he thinks former Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha lost his job at Ibrox.
“The dogs bark and the caravan keeps going” – Pedro’s reign was littered with crazy quotes but this topped the lot after a 0-0 draw at home to Hearts.
Declan John, Alfredo Morelos and Graham Dorrans. The names of the only three Rangers players brought in by Pedro Caixinha this summer that I would give pass marks to. The 46 year old was backed by chairman Dave King as the South Africa based businessman hoped that the Portuguese gaffer would help the Ibrox club to overtake second placed Aberdeen and challenge their greatest rivals Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title.
Pinpointing central defence as a definite weakness, Caixinha sold Rob Kiernan and decided not to renew the contract of veteran ex QPR man Clint Hill. Instead the former Al-Gharafa boss signed two of his compatriots Bruno Alves and Fabio Cardoso. Alves, as the more experienced of the two, does exactly as you would expect from a man who has won over 90 caps for his country. Cardoso I’m yet to be convinced by after he was beaten far too easily by Simon Murray for a goal in a loss to Hibs earlier in the campaign.
Declan John wasn’t even an expected signing with the Cardiff City full back a late loan addition after club captain Lee Wallace was ruled out for two months with injury. However he as been a revelation contributing a double in a win at Hamilton and just turning in a regularly very impressive performance level.
Graham Dorrans has also been impressive with the Scotland international scoring a double on his Scottish Premiership debut against Motherwell and chipping in with goals since too. Ryan Jack however has not made the impact he would have wanted. The former Aberdeen man who was called into the Scotland squad earlier this week has been sent off in three of his fourteen games so far. Daniel Candeias and Dalcio were also among the Portuguese contingent brought in by Caixinha. Candeias has done ok since his arrival, however, Rangers fans could be forgiven for forgetting Dalcio, as the loanee hasn’t started since the Europa League qualification embarrassment in Luxembourg. Carlos Pena was meant to be the number ten who set up and scored goals from midfield. The Mexican has managed four goals so far but still doesn’t look fully fit.
Alfredo Morelos has been as good a find as Rangers could have hoped to get. The former HJK Helsinki man has scored eight times in 16 appearances so far this season. Mexican Eduardo Herrera however has only scored twice in 12 games.
In all, I don’t think the majority of Pedro Caixinha’s signings were anywhere near good enough and the statement confirming his departure suggests that the Rangers board agrees with me.
Caixinha’s decision to banish Kenny Miller to the under 20s squad was just farcical in my opinion, and all because the most experienced man in his squad said some things that the Portuguese gaffer didn’t agree with in the wake of a 2-0 defeat to Celtic. And let’s face it the ex Scotland centre forward was probably correct. The decision backfired on Caixinha as caretaker boss Graeme Murty immediately re-installed Miller as skipper and he scored a double in Rangers’ 3-1 win away to Hearts at the weekend.
