Jose Cifuentes learns Rangers Viaplay Cup Final fate as SFA deliver red card appeal verdict

Rangers have been dealt a huge Viaplay Cup Final blow after their appeal over Jose Cifuentes' red card was thrown out by the SFA and he will now serve a two-game ban.

The Ecuador international will miss Sunday’s showpiece against Aberdeen - leaving Philippe Clement with a major midfield headache. The outcome was announced on the SFA website saying the original sanction is 're-imposed with immediate effect.' Clement is already down to the bare bones in the engine room with Tom Lawrence, Nico Raskin and Ryan Jack injured.

Cifuentes’ two game ban - which will also see him miss the Premiership clash with St Johnstone at Ibrox - intensifies the problem for the Gers boss who will also be missing first choice striker Danilo through injury. The Ecuador international was sent off after a VAR review for catching Dundee frontman Amadou Bakayoko in a 50/50 challenge in first half injury time at Ibrox on Saturday. Referee Kevin Clancy had originally booked Cifuentes but upgraded his original decision after being sent to the monitor by video assistant Steven Kirkland.

The Belgian boss revealed after full-time on Saturday that his player insists he pulled out of the challenge with Bakayoko. And after reviewing footage Rangers decided to appeal on the grounds of wrongful dismissal. But Tuesday’s fast track tribunal deemed the challenge was worthy of a red card leaving Rangers light of options.

Dujon Sterling is an option to fill the void after the defender replaced Cifuentes and produced an impressive 45 minutes in the engine room against Dee. Clement said after full-time on Saturday: “Jose told me he lost the ball and wanted to win it back.

“He wanted to block the ball but the other guy is a split second faster and tackles through the