Rangers: Pundit makes Oscar Cortes prediction v Livingston
Rangers manager Philippe Clement is unlikely to throw new signings Oscar Cortes and Mohamed Diomande straight into the action against Livingston on Saturday (3 February), according to Derek Ferguson.
The Colombian right winger would make his debut if he receives international clearance in time (Sky Sports, 2 February) after joining on loan from Lens on deadline day (1 February).
Cortes joined Mohamed Diomande and Fabio Silva as additions to Clement’s squad during the transfer window and was a much-needed addition on the flanks after a serious injury sustained by Brighton winger Abdallah Sima.
But former Rangers man Ferguson, speaking to Ibrox News, thinks Clement will wait before throwing him into the team against rock-bottom Livingston at Ibrox.
“I don’t think that’s the way the manager works,” he said.
“I think if you come through the door he’ll give you time to adapt, get to your teammates, get to know the players, even the club as a whole.
“I couldn’t see that if any new additions come in, I don’t think they’ll be thrown straight in.”
Rangers will bide their time
There will be a temptation from Clement to throw Cortes into the thick of things but given he only signed officially on Thursday, it is hard to imagine he will want to take too many risks.
Conversely, Diomande has been at the club a little longer now and, unless there are injury issues we are unaware of, you would have to think the 22-year-old will come into his thinking.
But Ferguson is right that in general Clement will not do anything to upset the apple cart and Cortes will be given time to settle in before he is handed his Light Blues bow.
In other Rangers news, here is our predicted XI for the Livingston clash.
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