Rangers injury news as Jose Cifuentes set to miss Hibernian clash – Philippe Clement
Rangers midfielder Jose Cifuentes is set to miss Saturday’s Scottish Premiership clash against Hibernian at Ibrox, Philippe Clement has confirmed.
The new manager, appointed as Michael Beale’s successor on 15 October, took to his first pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of his first game to reveal that the Ecuadorian international will sit out the match with a knee injury [Glasgow Times, 20 October].
No definitive timeframe was given for the summer signing’s expected return but he joins Rabbi Matondo and Tom Lawrence on the treatment table at Ibrox in a fresh new blow for Clement.
Personal blow
It’s safe to say Cifuentes simply hasn’t enjoyed the best and smoothest of rides in his short Rangers career so far.
Cifuentes arrived at Ibrox to much enthusiasm and fanfare following his destructive performances for Los Angeles Football Club in the MLS.
The 24-year-old was certainly the midfield weapon Rangers desperately needed when Beale brought him in from Los Angeles FC over the summer, providing much aggression, energy, cutting-edge and progressive play either from deep in midfield or in the advanced roles.
However, the Ecuadorian hasn’t shown such qualities so far in his time in Scotland with the midfielder not only struggling to impress at club level this season but also for his country recently too.
The Ecuadorian would have expected to return to Ibrox with a point to prove and to impress Clement ahead of the Hibernian game but this new blow sets his progress back even further.
Cifuentes will certainly be given the time and room to improve at Rangers but there is still the danger that the former Monaco boss could well find the perfect midfield formula without him.
In other Rangers news, one inconsistent Ibrox defender must improve under Clement all be shown the Auchenhowie exit door in January.