'He's ready to go': Michael Beale confirms Jose Cifuentes will start for Rangers against Livingston

Michael Beale has revealed that Jose Cifuentes will have his first start for Rangers against Livingston on Saturday after making his debut in midweek.

The midfielder moved to Ibrox from Los Angeles FC last week, signing a four-year contract.

After sitting on the bench though Rangers’ 1-0 league defeat to Kilmarnock on Sunday, the 24-year-old got his first taste of action when he came on as a substitute in the 2-1 Champions League qualifying win over Servette.

Rangers boss Beale has now seen enough to put Cifuentes in the starting line-up and expects the Ecuador international to impress.

“He is playing tomorrow,” Beale said.

“He is a prime example, he didn’t get in until late on the previous Thursday, a bit of jet lag but I wanted him to be on the bench just to see Scottish football.

“There’s eight substitutes, let’s just get him there so he can understand the environment.

“He has just only moved into his new place the last couple of days so he is in and out of a hotel.

“I thought he was quite good when he came on the other night in a small glimpse but now I think he is ready.

“He has been playing since January. He knows his team-mates, there is ever such a small language barrier because he speaks decent enough English and he is ready to go now and I am looking forward to watching him tomorrow.”