Jose Cifuentes has two international games to overcome Philippe Clement first team hurdle at Rangers, he’s a forgotten man
Forgotten Rangers midfielder Jose Cifuentes now has two games during the international break to prove himself to Philippe Clement at Ibrox.
Despite his lack of minutes under the Belgian coach since his appointment in October, the Ecuadorian ace has still managed to receive a call-up to the squad in their games against Venezuela and Chile.
The 24-year-old hasn’t started a game since the start of October, the 3-0 win against St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership under Steve Davis’ interim stewardship.
Since then, he’s only played just 25 minutes under the Belgian (SofaScore), his latest appearance coming in their 2-0 win over Livingston on Sunday (12 November) after being declared injured and out of action before the Hibernian game (21 October).
In between those struggles at Ibrox, he’s been on the end of some serious scolding at international level after a dreadful performance for his country against Bolivia last month.
Newspaper Primacias awarded the ex-LAFC man with a match rating of 5/10, saying: “He was called upon to promote the circulation of the ball, but he made too many impressions and was not the partner that Moisés [Caicedo] needed. With his departure at 55′, the impression was left that his opportunities to show that he deserves to be a starter have run out.”
Radio Diblu journalist Kevin Verdezoto added that Cifuentes had “no influence” and that his opportunities with Ecuador are “running out due to poor performance” while Radio Diblu panellist Rogelio Arosemena took to Twitter to rip into Cifuentes:
“José Cifuentes must be presented as a more useful tool.
“He is doing the minimum, he does not take risks and he does not transcend.
“It lacks explosiveness, dynamics and creation.”
The midfielder was highly thought of when he made the move from LA FC, but he’s been a little bit inconsistent in a Light Blues shirt so far this season.
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.
Fans have somewhat forgotten him at Ibrox, but his latest call-up to the Ecuador squad certainly provides him with the chance to stake a claim again at Ibrox and force himself into Clement’s thinking. Or else, he may be forced out in January, on loan at least.
In other Rangers news, John Bennett has demanded success in the transfer market as the Gers look to appoint a new sporting director