Former Rangers striker Kenny Miller believes Jose Cifuentes will immediately command a place in Mick Beale’s starting XI if he completes his move from MLS outfit Los Angeles FC this month.
Last week, Beale finally confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets in Scottish football.
Jose Cifuentes, after months of speculation, will be joining Rangers after all. It’s just a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’.
“It is getting closer. There are logistics with that one and work permits and everything else that goes in between it,” Beale tells Sky Sports of the Ecuador international, who will become a free-agent in December.
“The clubs (Rangers and LAFC) are still talking. He’s out of contract at the end of the year and we have an agreement (to sign him).
“We would like to bring it to close early so he can join us in this window.”
Jose Cifuentes on his way to Rangers at last
Miller, a three-time Scottish Premiership champion with Rangers, believes that Cifuentes will waste no time cementing a starting spot in the heart of Beale’s midfield, striking up a new-look and potentially mouth-watering partnership with January recruit Nicolas Raskin.
“I think Cifuentes and Raskin will play as a two,” he tells Clyde SuperScoreboard.
Labelled an ‘incredibly talented’ player by LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo; Cifuentes is more of an all-rounder than a specialist such as a Todd Cantwell. He is equally comfortable breaking up attacks or constructing them himself. Only two LAFC players averaged more tackles per game than the £1.5 million-rated Cifuentes in 2022, while he also contributed seven goals and six assists at the other end of the pitch.
Miller adds that John Lundstram, Ryan Jack, Kieran Dowell and the Leeds-linked Glen Kamara are likely to be consigned to the bench if Cifuentes joins.
What’s more, if former Ibrox hitman was in Beale’s shoes, he would be tempted hand Jack Butland, Danilo, Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers their first Premiership starts in the league opener away to Kilmarnock on Saturday too.
“I’ll give you my back four; You’ll have Butland in goal, (James) Tavernier, (Connor) Goldson, (John) Souttar and you’ll have (Borna) Barisic,” Miller predicts.
“I think Cifuentes and Raskin will play as a two. And ahead of that you’ll have Cantwell and Lammers or (Tom) Lawrence. And I think you might see Danilo and Dessers as a front two.”
