Philippe Clement has confirmed Jose Cifuentes has picked up an injury in Rangers’ historic Europa League victory over Real Betis.
The Belgian manager was speaking to the press after the Ibrox side secured a legendary 3-2 victory over the La Liga side to top Group C and qualify for the Europa League Last 16.
With European football now shelved until March, attentions will turn back to the domestic game and a hectic run of fixtures as Rangers compete on three fronts.
But the club’s recent run of drastic injury problems looks set to continue with Philippe Clement confirming Jose Cifuentes was substituted because of an issue.
Philippe Clement confirms Jose Cifuentes injury
A frustrated Philippe Clement confirmed that Jose Cifuentes suffered a muscle injury in Rangers’ Europa League victory over Real Betis.
The Ecuadorean international midfielder, 24, was only just getting back to full fitness after an injury issue earlier in the season and the situation represents a sizeable blow.
Rangers were forced to substitute the midfielder at half time with Dujon Sterling stepping into midfield and putting in another impressive shift for the club.
“The frustrating thing for me is that I had to make a change already at half-time,” explained Clement. “(Jose) Cifuentes had a muscle injury so again a story like that so I’m not happy with that.
“But then you see Dujon (Sterling) comes in and plays a really good game in midfield. So that’s the mentality that we need.
“Everybody fighting for the team but with quality on the ball and everybody knowing what they have to do with and without the ball and that was really good. So three really good goals. I don’t think as a coach you can be more pleased than I am this evening.”
Rangers injuries mount amid tough run
Ecuadorean international Jose Cifuentes impressed in the first half of Rangers’ Europa League victory over Real Betis in Spain and would’ve been disappointed to come off the pitch.
Despite the commentary team on TNT Sport’s coverage suggesting that the switch was tactical, Philippe Clement has confirmed Cifuentes is carrying an injury problem.
The midfielder adds to a series of major issues for Rangers in the middle of the park, with the club still without Ryan Jack, Nicolas Raskin and Tom Lawrence.
Todd Cantwell missed the Real Betis game due to a personal issue whilst Brazilian striker Danilo is another long-term absentee.
The Ibrox side will be hoping that the Jose Cifuentes injury is a minor one, with the club already having lost the midfielder to suspension for the next two matches.
Having been sent off in the 3-1 victory over Dundee, Rangers lost an appeal which would free Cifuentes up for the weekend’s League Cup Final v Aberdeen.
Also set to miss the clash with St Johnstone, we will await an update on the squad situation with the Ecuadorean technically unavailable until the Premiership clash with Motherwell on Christmas Eve anyway.
