Rangers-linked midfielder Jose Cifuentes played the entire match for LAFC as they defeated San José Earthquakes in the MLS.
The Gers have been strongly linked with a move Jose Cifuentes in the press, with the 24-year-old out of contract in California come to December and the end of the MLS season.
Despite the gathering reports, the Ecuador international played an influential role in his club’s latest victory, with Jose Cifuentes playing the entire match in a 2-1 LAFC win.
Croatian winger Stipe Biuk gave the west coast outfit an early lead, Cifuentes passing the ball to his LAFC teammate before the attacker rolled it home.
The goal was then cancelled out by an equaliser from Miguel Trauco seven minutes into the second half, the Peruvian somehow finding the back of the net from a freak cross which caught the keeper unaware.
It took an injury-time penalty from ex-Arsenal and Real Sociedad striker Carlos Vela to secure all three points, with the spot kick coming after a handball was called back by VAR.
Jose Cifuentes plays for LAFC amid Rangers links
Jose Cifuentes played despite the fact that Rangers had been heavily linked with the player in the run up to the game.
Reports from the likes of Fabrizio Romano claimed that the Ibrox side were in advanced negotiations, while the player’s agent was at Ibrox for the 3-0 win over Celtic.
Rangers manager Michael Beale was then directly asked about the interest ahead of the weekend’s clash with Hibs, and poured cold water on any suggestion a deal was close, even if Rangers’ interest in Cifuentes certainly appears legitimate.
“(The deal) is not that close, if I’m honest,” said Beale.
“These things pick up speed in the papers. He’s a good player but his contract runs till December. That seems a long long way away.”
Rangers have also been boosted in their pursuit of Cifuentes by the news that one potential transfer rival in Leeds United could be relegated.
