George Overhill

Sun 2 July 2023 20:10, UK

Steve Cherundolo was left looking “decidedly uncomfortable” as he attempted to explain the “mysterious” absence of Rangers target Jose Cifuentes from his line up for the defeat to FC Dallas, according to the Daily Record.

The Ecuador international has been linked to an Ibrox move for weeks, and manager Michael Beale had been eyeing this weekend as the time for a breakthrough as the midfielder can now sign a pre-agreement with the Light Blues ahead of his MLS contract expiring in December.

The Gers want to push through a deal to sign him this summer, and with Cifuentes absent from the 2-0 loss on Saturday night in the US (1 July) despite not being included on the injury report it looks like that may be nearing.

As per the Daily Record Cherundolo was asked about the situation and responded: “I believe we covered that in our injury status report. It was just loading purposes.”

However, Cifuentes was not listed as “out” or “questionable” on the team’s report, leaving the absence as yet a “mystery”.

Obvious?

This one has dragged on long enough now that it would probably somewhat of a relief for the LAFC boss to get it resolved one way or another.

The indications are that the 24-year-old is likely to arrive at Ibrox sooner or later, so if it isn’t going to be in the next week or two perhaps it is better he is wrapped up for the winter when his US contract expires and attention can be focused elsewhere for the rest of the summer.

It does look like there is probably a pretty good chance that something imminent is now in the offing, as the key weekend that Beale had reportedly hoped for an advance [Mail Plus, 24 June] has arrived and thrown up this situation, so the pre-contract may indeed now be signed.

If there is a simple reason for a player to be absent the manager has no reason to feel awkward about the situation, so if Cherundolo was that uncomfortable it suggests the explanation is something out of his hands, barring a disciplinary issue.

Beale appears to have been on Cifuentes’ trail since at least April [Tom Bogert, 18 April] so must feel that he can be an important component.

And finally getting a deal over the line now after apparently being on the brink of one for some time would constitute another solid development in a window where he has already made five confirmed signings and looks like he may have cleared key hurdles on a sixth and seventh after news on the Cyriel Dessers pursuit as well.

In other Rangers news, a “sensational” behind the scenes move is now on the cards with “final summit” negotiations now set to take place.