When Barry Ferguson confirmed in late-February that Oscar Cortes was once again training with the Rangers first-team, a return to action seemed imminent for the luckless Colombian.
So why, over a month later, are the Rangers faithful still yet to see their forgotten man feature in a blue shirt?
While John Souttar, Leon Balogun and Dujon Sterling all made returns to the senior selection, Oscar Cortes had remained largely conspicuous by his absence.
The RC Lens loanee did feature in Barry Ferguson’s matchday squad for the first time as Cyriel Dessers saved Rangers’ skin at Dundee last weekend but, failing to get off the bench, it is now eight weeks since he last featured on the Premiership stage.
Speaking to the media back home in his native Colombia, however, Cortes appears to feel that his luck may be turning.
Though where have we heard this before?
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Oscar Cortes hopes to make Rangers return vs Hibernian
Rangers host Hibernian in Saturday’s 3pm kick-off at Ibrox looking to win at home under their legendary captain for the first time since Ferguson returned to replace Philippe Clement.
Kris Boyd labelled Oscar Cortes the ‘Where’s Wally of Scottish Football’ recently. A moniker the winger will be desperate to shake off.
A rare Premiership outing and a long-awaited return to action against David Gray’s in-form outfit, the 21-year-old prays, could yet prove to be the turning point in a career placed an on almost indefinite pause.
“I haven’t spoken to anyone from Colombia since I left. My mentality has been to focus on Europe, to get into the rhythm here, and I’ve only thought about adapting to European football,” Cortes tells Caracol.
“The intention is to recover well from injury, be able to play, and get minutes. Thank God, I’m training alongside the team. I’ve been training with my teammates for a month now. I’m fine and I feel good, which is the most important thing for getting playing time.
“I was in the squad for the last game [the 4-3 win at Dundee]. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get on. But, on Saturday [against Hibernian], I have the great opportunity to get in and get some minutes.
“I’m learning a lot now. This injury taught me a lot, a lot of things I need to do and learn here. I’ve focused a lot on that, also on working outside of team training, and that’s helped me feel much better. I’m on the right track.”
Cortes hopes to emulate Colombia striker Alfredo Morelos at Ibrox
Better late than never, of course.
Before his sacking, Philippe Clement insisted Rangers still planned on signing Cortes permanently this summer to the tune of around £4 million.
The Glasgow giants could hardly be blamed for rowing back on that promise, of course, given that he has started a grand total of three Premiership matches since returning for a second spell in Scotland.
Cortes, meanwhile, harbours dreams of emulating fellow Colombian Alfredo Morelos in a Gers jersey. Before he can even think about that, however, the former Millonarios starlet must prove that he can get back on the pitch and stay there.
“Alfredo Morelos is very well-liked here. Everyone talks to me about him, about his performance at the club, about all the goals he scored,” adds Cortes, who earned his one and only senior Colombia cap in 2023.
“I think he’s the team’s top scorer in the Europa League. That has helped me a lot to make a name for myself here, to follow in those footsteps. It’s difficult, but never impossible.
“And, when I’m fit, I hope to do some of the things he did here too.”
