Rangers will be pulling off a ‘coup’ if they succeed in luring Jose Cifuentes to Ibrox from Major League Soccer outfit Los Angeles FC.
That is according to Johnny Russell; the former Scotland international who has gone head to head with the all-action Ecuadorian during his time across the Atlantic at Sporting Kansas City.
Jose Cifuentes’ contract expires in December. And, while Mick Beale insists that a deal is not quite as close as some have suggested, the Rangers boss is making no secret of his admiration for a ‘very good player’ who scored eight times and set up nine more from midfield during the 2022 MLS season.
“I really like Cifuentes,” Russell tells the Daily Record. “I’ve played against him a few times now, including the other night.”
Russell, once of Dundee United, scored against Cifuentes’ LAFC in a 1-1 draw on Thursday.
“He’s a very good player and I think that he’s the right fit for Rangers and Scottish football,” Rusell adds. “If Rangers get him, it would be a bit of a coup for them.
“He’s one of these boys who – if it was your plan – could come in and do a job for you but then you could probably shift him on as well. Rangers could sell him on again if he does well there. And Cifuentes might see a move to Scotland as a stepping stone to the English Premier League.”
Cifuentes, who can play in both advanced and more defensively-minded roles, has been described as a mix of Paul Pogba and compatriot Moises Caicedo. The one-time Celtic target could be the perfect compliment for a new-look midfield of Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin.
“He’s got a bit about him. I certainly don’t think he’d struggle in terms of physicality because he’s a strong boy,” Russell explains.
“He’s played in different midfield positions for LAFC. He holds his own in that team and you have to be a good player to do that. And he pops up with goals as well. He’s always there or thereabouts on the scoresheet when you check the results.”
