Rangers defender Bruno Alves has given Pedro Caixinha his backing, saying his manager possesses a winning mentality that will lead the Light Blues to future success.

The Portuguese international, set to captain Rangers in Sunday's League Cup semi-final against Motherwell at Hampden, was his compatriot's marquee signing during a summer overhaul of the Ibrox squad.

Questions were raised about dressing room harmony at the club after a heated exchange took place after last month's defeat to Celtic, with forward Kenny Miller banished to the Under 20s in the week that followed.

Alves shot down suggestions there has been a split in the Ibrox dressing room.

"Since I arrived everything has been normal," he said. "Everyone has received us all very well and for me it has been a good journey.

"Of course I expect to win more but I know that will come with time. We have the right players and the right coach."

Alves added: "He (Caixinha) is very methodical, he is very focused and he wants to win.

"He brings also a Portuguese football background, that mentality and capacity.

"I think this is important in a coach, to have these qualities, and we expect this coach can lead us to victory.

"In football we have coaches and then we have coaches that make you win."

Another of Rangers' summer recruits, Carlos Pena, heads into Sunday's semi-final showpiece buoyed by a double last time out against St Johnstone.

Alves insists there is even more to come from the Mexican attacker.

"He needs time, he has come from a different country, a different culture," he said.

"Here the football is different, it is fast, you have to think fast and fight for every ball. I think it is a process, it's time.

"All the players when they change countries they need time to adapt but in the end the quality comes out because football is football everywhere."