Derek Ferguson tells Rangers to cash in on Ibrox flop Jose Cifuentes before transfer deadline day passes
We’re delighted to welcome former Ibrox star Derek Ferguson as our exclusive Rangers columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points in Govan…
Derek Ferguson thinks Rangers would be making the right decision by allowing Jose Cifuentes to depart the club after he has “struggled” to adapt to life at Ibrox.
Much was expected of the Ecuador international when he arrived from LAFC as part of Michael Beale’s much-derided summer recruitment drive.
However, the 24-year-old has been limited to only six Scottish Premiership starts and looks as though he could be on his way out of the club before the end of the transfer window.
According to Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte (30 January) a loan-to-buy move to Cruzeiro is now “considered certain”, bringing an unhappy spell to a swift end.
Former Rangers man Ferguson, speaking to Ibrox News, thinks an exit would be in the best interest of all parties at this juncture.
“The previous manager (Beale) was quoted on this saying Cifuentes was going to take us to another level, he got us all excited,” he said.
“But I feel for the boy in a way because I think at times he was played out of position, I think he’s a central midfield player but under Michael Beale he played in the wide areas.
“I think there’s maybe other factors as well, I don’t think he’s settled in the country, maybe not just himself but maybe some of his family members.
“So that’s always difficult and it’s always a worry. I can get where he’s coming from, I’ve got a boy who’s plying his trade over in Italy.
“Football wise, you don’t really worry but you just worry how they’ll settle into the culture, the weather, the food, I don’t think a lot of fans kind of take that on board really, they look just at what’s happening on the football park and they think that’s the be all and end all.
“But I think there’s been a few factors, I think he was played out of position early doors, I think he’s struggled him and some of his family members with living in Scotland and maybe not adapted as well as we all wanted.
“So if he’s not happy, there’s no point keeping players who aren’t happy. If he’s going to get a move, play with a smile on his face, there’s talk of a move to Brazil, so for everyone involved I think it’s the right decision.”
In other Rangers news, A Ridvan Yilmaz transfer twist has emerged with a three-man shortlist update at a Euro club.
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