‘Disrespected’ Fabio Cardoso leading unlikely Santa Clara charge

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This summer saw Rangers appoint Steven Gerrard as their new manager. With his arrival, the Ibrox club looked to turf out some of the deadwood brought in by former boss Pedro Caixinha.

One such player was defender Fabio Cardoso.  

The Portuguese centre-back cost £1.3 million from Vitoria Setubal and had plenty of experience with his nation at youth level. But despite his apparent promise, his time in Glasgow was forgettable.

He played just 12 times for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. With that in mind, the player and Rangers agreed on a mutual termination at the end of July.

It was an experience that left the defender scorn. He headed back to Portugal, joining newly promoted top-flight side Santa Clara on a free transfer.

“I felt that I was disrespected and it was difficult not to be playing.

“I wanted to feel happy, to assert myself again. I didn’t play in the second half of the season which is the most important time.”

– Fabio Cardoso on his Rangers spell

The result has been impressive. Cardoso has gone straight in the starting line-up as an undroppable member.

In his six games for the club so far he has played the full 90 minutes in every single fixture. He has even scored twice with his side currently surprising many by sitting seventh in the league table. They even managed a 3-3 draw with early pace setters Braga, a game in which Cardoso netted a dramatic equaliser.

Rangers fans may have often felt there was a talented player in Cardoso. For whatever reason, things simply did not work out for him in Glasgow. But nobody will begrudge him what looks to be a good career move back to his homeland.