Jose Cifuentes to Rangers transfer latest as Michael Beale makes 'another level' prediction for incoming Ecuadorian

Michael Beale has tipped Ecuador star Jose Cifuentes to take his Rangers team to another level.

The Ibrox gaffer will make the Los Angeles FC midfielder his ninth summer signing with the 24-year-old due in Glasgow within days. Beale is delighted to have snared Cifuentes from the MLS and is convinced he’ll have a major impact on his side.

Rangers finished their pre-season with a 2-2 draw against Hoffenheim in Germany, where new boys Danilo and Dujon Sterling got their debut. But Beale is excited about the acquisition of Cifuentes ahead of their Premiership opener against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Saturday. He said: “It’s going to be a matter of days (for Cifuentes to arrive). The talks are going and LA has been excellent to deal with throughout. I’ve been close to the deal and the talks. There are Visas and medicals when a player like that comes across but hopefully we’ll have good news in a couple of days.

“It’s going to happen, it’s just a matter of time. He’s coming over from LA to Glasgow so there’s a bit of acclimatisation.

“Let’s allow the boy to get in as he’s not just here for a day, he’s here for the future. He’s a really good player, box-to-box. He’s been playing since Christmas but there’s been a break in the MLS for a couple of weeks and that will have been good for him.

“We don’t want him to be playing for the full year so the week off has been good. I’ve been on the phone and watching him do some work.

“We are excited to have him here but let’s get him settled into the team. I believe he’s a player that can take us to another level.”

Beale was pleased to give Danilo his Gers bow in Germany after his £5 million move from Feyenoord. He said afterwards: “It has been a whirlwind couple of days for him. He only