AliousOscar Cortes’ stint at Rangers has been an undeniable disappointment thus far. The Colombian winger, currently on loan, has only managed seven appearances in the Scottish Premiership this season, with injuries severely disrupting his campaign.
Rangers are locked into purchasing the 21-year-old for £3.5 million in the upcoming summer transfer window, a commitment that has sparked widespread unease among supporters due to his persistent fitness struggles. This obligatory deal might prove to be a lingering regret for the club.
On Saturday, March 29, Rangers staged yet another late turnaround to defeat Dundee, but the performance exposed a deeper issue: a noticeable lack of drive within the team.
Analyst Michael Stewart, speaking on Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Club on March 31, pointed to a deficiency in the squad’s mentality. He singled out Cortes as emblematic of the problem, questioning whether the young player possesses the grit and determination required at a club like Rangers.
Stewart highlighted Cortes’ early exit at halftime during the season opener at Tynecastle, suggesting it wasn’t purely injury-related but rather a sign of lacking the necessary fire. With Rangers bound to spend £3.5 million on him, Stewart doubts whether Cortes fits the profile of a player suited to the demands of Ibrox.
Looking ahead, the summer transfer window could be a defining moment for Rangers, especially with the potential involvement of 49ers Enterprises at the helm.
A top priority should be securing a permanent deal for Vaclav Cerny, the Czech standout who has shone on loan from Wolfsburg and established himself as one of the team’s brightest stars. Beyond that, addressing the leadership void Stewart identified will be crucial to assembling a squad capable of challenging Celtic.
This might mean offloading players like Hamza Igamane and Nicolas Raskin, both linked with lucrative Premier League transfers. Their departures could generate substantial funds, giving Rangers the financial muscle to reshape the roster.
Rectifying the deeper problems at Auchenhowie, Rangers’ training ground, won’t come cheap or quick. The club may need years to repair the cumulative damage.
For now, their strategy of scouting young talents from overlooked leagues and flipping them for profit remains key to building a title-contending team.
That said, injecting the squad with a handful of seasoned veterans could provide an immediate boost to the leadership and mental resilience the current group lacks, offering a bridge toward long-term success.
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