Sport
Ferguson wowed as Rangers could seal permanent transfer
Rangers have been tipped to complete the permanent signing of Oscar Cortes this summer by Derek Ferguson.
The 20-year-old Colombian winger arrived on a loan from Ligue 1 side Lens in the January transfer window, with the deal including an option to buy (official website, 1 February).
Cortes has made six appearances in all competitions thus far and got off the mark for the club with a goal in the 5-0 rout of Hearts in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday (24 January).
Former Rangers man Ferguson – speaking exclusively to Ibrox News – loves what Cortes has brought to the team and would love to see him stick around longer.
Asked if he expects Rangers to make a permanent move and if he would like to see that, Ferguson replied: “Oh aye, I’d like to see him of course.
“The thing I like about Cortes, sometimes I look at the hunger in a player the bravery because we don’t associate that with widemen or forward-thinking players.
“He’s not scared to put himself about, put his head in there. He’s not the biggest lad in the world, but it’s clear that he loves to run with the ball.
“For me as a fan watching that it’s magic, he’s always wanting to go on the front foot. But I love that, I saw in a couple of games there were balls maybe away on the wide right and he gets himself into that box, gets himself in between the sticks, and he’s not scared to put his head in where it hurts.
“He took a couple of bumps and got up and dusted himself down. I think that’s kind of important playing Scottish football because it can be kind of a little bit of rough and tumble at times.
“But there’s a lot to like about him and again if he’s a permanent fixture in that squad all the better.”
Will Rangers make a full transfer for Oscar Cortes?
Rangers fans were fearing the worst when Abdallah Sima went down with a long-term injury when he was away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
But Philippe Clement acted quickly to bring in Cortes to account for the loss of the on-loan Brighton winger and thus far he looks a real gem of a signing.
Moreover, Rangers have put an option-to-buy clause in, one that you assume wouldn’t have been inserted if they didn’t have to budget to complete a full transfer.
If Cortes continues to impress in Glasgow like he has thus far then, frankly, there is absolutely nothing to suggest he won’t sign a permanent contract.
