Time for Jose Cifuentes to show what all the fuss was about

Rangers’ journey to sign Jose Cifuentes was one of the most prolonged of the summer transfer window.

It was all the way back in May that the 4th Official first revealed interested in the midfielder, with his move from LAFC finally going through just days before the start of the new season.

Having been a strong initial impact in his first couple of appearances in a light blue jersey, the Ecuadorian has faded off in recent weeks, struggling getting used out of position in the two ties with PSV and not making it off the bench at St Johnstone at the weekend.

Granted, the latter may have been due to the long journey he had back from international duty in South America with a packed Ibrox schedule on the horizon, but given the aforementioned saga to bring him to the club, you’d still expect more of an impact at this point than he already has.

But with Michael Beale revealing yesterday that Nico Raskin has joined Todd Cantwell and Kieran Dowell on the list of injured midfielders, it’s likely that Jose Cifuentes will be thrust back into the line-up for tonight’s Europa League tie at home to Real Betis.

Whilst performances like those in Eindhoven may worry some fans about the prospect of Cifuentes’ return, the game presents the perfect opportunity for him to show why he should be one of the first names on Beale’s teamsheet.

Cifuentes offers something that not many others in the middle of the park for Rangers do, and that’s the ability to drive from box-to-box with power.

Not a traditional holding midfielder in the style of a Ryan Jack and John Lundstram, but one who likes to play on the front foot and trying to get closer to the attacking players.

This type of player is especially important when playing in European games, particularly against a Real Betis team who have very capable attacking threats such as Isco and Borja Iglesias. Having someone who is confident in driving Rangers out of their own third when they look to hit on the counter.

In combination with the pace of Rabbi Matondo and the technical ability of Tom Lawrence, a strong performance tonight for Cifuentes could help cement him as a Rangers star.

Those away Champions League qualifier ties did expose the weaknesses still in his game, such as tracking runners from deep and having a bit more composure on the ball when given time.

But what do you really expect when you bring a new player into a new country and team and stick him out on the wide right when he’s a natural central midfielder?

Play players in their natural position and give them the chance to shine. Not shoehorn them in anywhere, which has been a recurring problem for Beale with his new signings so far.