Rangers open to extending Cortes stay

PHILIPPE CLEMENT has revealed that Rangers are in talks with French club Lens about extending Oscar Cortes’ stay at Ibrox even though the Colombian loanee will not play again this season.

Clement had hoped the winger, who suffered a muscle injury which required surgery in the cinch Premiership match against Kilmarnock back in February, would return to action before the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

However, the Belgian, whose team take on the Rugby Park side in the league in Govan tomorrow afternoon, confirmed that neither the 20-year-old (right) nor longterm absentee Danilo would feature again this term.

“We are talking with Lens about what the situation is because in this situation it is a different situation from when he was fit,” Clement said. “At the moment he was fit he was showing the right things, but it was really short term. Then it needs to be at the right price.”

Asked about the possibility of Cortes returning to Rangers on loan next season, Clement added: “That is something to discuss. We will see what is said in the talks with Lens. I cannot say just now.” Meanwhile, Clement has welcomed Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland and right-back James Tavernier being nominated for the PFA Scotland Premiership player of the year award by their fellow professionals and Ibrox winger Ross McCausland entering the running for the young player of the year honour. “They were booed off the pitch a few times six months ago,” Clement said. “The club was not in the right place. So it’s also proved there has been a good evolution.”