Jose Cifuentes, a midfielder for Rangers, will not play against Hibernian on Saturday in the Scottish Premiership, according to Philippe Clement.
Following Michael Beale’s resignation on October 15, the new manager said during his first pre-game news conference on Friday that the Ecuadorian international would miss the game due to a knee injury [Glasgow Times, 20 October].
Although a specific return date for the summer signing was not disclosed, Clement has suffered a new setback as he now joins Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo on the Ibrox treatment table.
Individual strike
It’s easy to say that Cifuentes’ brief Rangers tenure hasn’t exactly been the smoothest of journeys.
Cifuentes made a big splash when he came at Ibrox after his devastating MLS performances for Los Angeles Football Club.
When Beale acquired the 24-year-old from Los Angeles FC over the summer, he was unquestionably the midfield weapon that Rangers sorely needed. He offered a great deal of tenacity, energy, and innovative, progressive play, whether from deep in midfield or in the advanced spots.
The Ecuadorian midfielder hasn’t, however, demonstrated these attributes thus far in his stay in Scotland. He has struggled to make an impression not only for his nation but also at the club level this season.
Prior to the Hibernian match, the Ecuadorian would have anticipated returning to Ibrox with a point to prove and to impress Clement, but this latest setback further stalls his progress.
Rangers will undoubtedly give Cifuentes the time and space he needs to develop, but there’s still a chance the former Monaco manager may find the ideal midfield combination without him.
In other Rangers news, Clement needs to get one of the inconsistent Ibrox defenders to show them the door in January.
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