Rangers are in Kevin Kelsy's head as Portland Timbers twist emerges

Rangers-linked Kevin Kelsy was in action for Portland Timbers overnight.

With Youssef Chermiti's devastating injury still fresh in the mind, Derek McInnes appears to be searching for another striker before the transfer deadline.

Given how poor his side have been in front of goal to open the Scottish Premiership season, it feels vitally important the Gers boss gets one in.

Portland Timbers talent Kelsy has been strongly linked with a move to Ibrox, as he's in the midst of a breakout season in MLS (Major League Soccer).

The Venezuelan international has already netted 10 times and provided three assists from 23 total appearances in 2026.

However, in Portland's 03:30am kick-off UK time with LAFC on Sunday morning, the big striker may not have helped his Rangers transfer chances.

How did Kevin Kelsy fare for Portland Timbers vs LAFC?

On 13 August, US reporter Tom Bogert claimed that Rangers have submitted a bid worth around £7.4million to sign Kelsy.

At 22, he would certainly be a sizeable long-term investment by Gers, but he appears to have a profile of a rapidly improving player.

That, however, has not been on display since those first reports of a Rangers bid being lodged for him.

Kelsy has made three MLS appearances since then, and in those games he's failed to provide a single goal contribution and has collected two yellow cards.

Against LAFC on Sunday morning, Kelsy was withdrawn after 70 minutes having been cautioned, as he was unable to help his side take all three points in a 1-1 draw.

Per FotMob, he played just nine accurate passes, put his only shot on goal off target and created zero chances.

Meanwhile, he also took just 28 touches with zero coming in the LAFC box, as well as being caught offside and dispossessed once too.

Defensively, Kelsy won zero tackles, one of his seven ground duels and two of his six in the air, whilst also committing three fouls.

So, how does his pre-Rangers bid form compare with his post-offer production, and why does it clearly show Gers' interest is impacting him?

Why Kelsy isn't the same player before Rangers interest arrived

Having already seen Olwethu Makhanya make a move from Philadelphia Union to Rangers this summer, Kelsy could be keen to follow suit.

Typically, if a player isn't interested in the transfer talk surrounding his name, then it doesn't usually rub off on their performances.

But, should they indeed be fascinated by the possibility of a potential move, it can serve to impact their focus levels and thus impact on the pitch.

There is significant evidence to suggest this is the case with Rangers and Kelsy, as his form since talk of a Glasgow move surfaced has nosedived.

Between 11 April and 2 August, Kelsy featured in 11 MLS games in their current 2026 season.

During that time, he scored nine goals and provided one assist, and it was this deadly goal contribution form that surely put him on Rangers' radar.

As aforementioned, however, he's now three MLS outings without a goal contribution, which with this previous form context in mind, is telling.

Because of this, there may now be a chance that Portland believe selling him is the best course of action, as his head may well have been turned.