Pedro Caixinha: Graham Dorrans a silent leader for Rangers

Saturday 30 September 2017 11:26, UK

Pedro Caixinha has heaped praise on stand-in Rangers captain Graham Dorrans just days after reportedly criticising the midfielder for handing away his armband.

It emerged earlier this week the Rangers manager angrily hit out at Dorrans during his post-Old Firm debrief at Ibrox.

According to reports, Caixinha accused Dorrans of disrespecting him by giving the captaincy to Kenny Miller when the striker came off the bench during last week's 2-0 loss to Celtic.

Miller has now been banished from the Rangers first-team squad amid suggestions he was responsible for leaking news of that explosive team meeting.

But Caixinha hailed Dorrans after the Scotland international inspired Rangers' fight back at Hamilton on Friday night.

"Dorrans is a great player," said Caixinha after his team's 4-1 win. "He is what I call a silent leader. He doesn't need to shout, just leads all the time by playing football. It's a different type of leadership that I like.

"We've trusted him since the very beginning and I know what he's capable of. He can get even better."

Caixinha, under increasing pressure after his side's latest defeat to Brendan Rodgers' Celtic, looked to be in fresh trouble when Accies struck just 57 seconds in through Danny Redmond.

But Declan John's quickfire brace and Daniel Candeias' strike put Rangers back in control at the break.

The Gers were even able to add a fourth with Dorrans' cheeky penalty after Ryan Jack was sent-off for collecting two bookings early in the second period.

Caixinha, who again had to do without injured Portugal defender Bruno Alves, added: "Declan is a great player who has great characteristics in moving the game forward, positive energy taking us forward.