“Scottish football faster, tougher and more aggressive than Premier League” – Mendes

Midfielder allays fears of serious injury

Pedro Mendes has allayed fears that he suffered a season-ending injury at the weekend, and says he will be ready to take his place in the Rangers line-up for their next match.

“If my foot was planted on the ground that tackle would have broken my leg,” said Mendes. “It was a violent challenge, but football in Scotland is like that; it’s actually faster, tougher and more aggressive than the Premier League in England.”

After having to be substituted there were fears that the Portugal international had damaged ligaments in his knee, but fortunately that scenario has proved unfounded. “It’s just swelled up but I expect to play in the championship this weekend.”

Double goal

The 30-year-old has been nominated for the prestigious Scotland Player of the Year award, but Mendes is fully focused on just one objective – winning the double with Rangers.

“I’m more worried about winning the Championship and the Cup. And we are close to achieving it. We are in the cup final and we are just one point behind leaders, Celtic. As we still have to play them at home, it’s in our hands and we can win everything.

“To be honest, I’m not worried about any individual award or what the press says about me; I don’t read the local papers and at home I only have Portuguese TV.

“It’s not that I make an effort to isolate myself, this just happens because I have little interest in the Scottish papers and as for television, it’s a family choice. It helps to cut the distance to our country and makes us miss it less.”

by Tom Kundert