South American expert Tim Vickery is a fan of Oscar Cortes but has concerns about why RC Lens are ‘giving up’ on the Rangers bound winger after only a few months in French football.
Considering that the Ligue 1 outfit shelled out around £4 million on the Colombia international as recently as July, you can understand why Vickery has been left feeling ‘a little perturbed’ by the sudden nature of his departure.
Lens appear to be cutting their losses on Oscar Cortes after only six months and four league appearances. That is despite the fact that 20-year-old has both scored and assisted a goal in France’s top flight in his limited time on the pitch.
And, while Rangers could find themselves pulling off quite the coup, Vickery is not getting carried away until he finds out exactly why that Lens spell is ending so suddenly.
Oscar Cortes is swapping Lens for Rangers
“He was on of the heroes of the under-20 side, and he did well in the Libertadores at the start of the year,” Vickery says of a player who scored four goals at the recent U20 FIFA World Cup, winning the Bronze Ball award given to the tournament’s third-best player.
“He is a winger but can play anywhere cross the frontline. He’s strong on the ball, there is some pace there, and the possibility of goal in him.
“He did well at under-20 level and then he went to France, and it doesnt seem to have worked out. They are giving up on him very, very early,” Vickery adds (talkSPORT, 31 January, 3pm). “He’s only played a handful of games.
“I like him. (But) I would be a little perturbed by Lens seeming to give up on him so early.”
A big coup or a big risk?
According to The National, Cortes is in Glasgow today. He should join Rangers on an initial loan deal, which could become permanent in the summer. With nine goals or assists in his final 19 games for Colombian outfit Millonarios, Cortes’ explosive qualities off the wing could help offset the loss of ‘long-term’ absentee Abdallah Sima.
The Brighton loanee is out ofr a while with an injury he picked up on AFCON duty.
Rangers have already signed Fabio Silva and Mohamed Diomande this month. Left-back Jefte could also arrive at Ibrox.
