If the latest reports are to be believed, Rangers are nearing a deal to lure Guadalajara midfielder Carlos Pena to the Ibrox Stadium this summer as manager Pedro Caixinha is fully devoted to the idea of shaking his club out of apathy. The Gers concluded the 2016-17 season of the Scottish Premiership with a third-place finish and seemingly appeared to be miles behind their arch rivals Celtic as the latter clinched the domestic treble and erected a strong territorial dominance.
Despite his erratic outputs, Caixinha would be spared of intense criticism from fans and media alike owing to his infant regime. But then, the former Al-Gharafa boss would have to show his credibility next season and ensure that they go toe-to-toe with the Celts and for registering the same, he knows that he needs to beef up the quality of his squad to a significant extent. Construction of more creativity through the middle would hold paramount importance next season and hence, making a move for Pena makes perfect sense.
Pena spent the second half of the previous campaign on loan with his former employers Leon in the Primera Division, accumulating 17 appearances for the Emeralds and finding the back of the net on 2 occasions. During his tenure at Santos Laguna, Caixinha familiarised himself with the calibre of this Mexican international who has 19 caps to his name and is believed to be his admirer. Pena has carved a major chunk of his career with Guadalajara and Leon and at this stroke of his career, he would be keen to enter into new territories to experience the game in a different habitat and give himself a chance of growing further and thus, a move to the ranks of the Teddy Bears must be too tempting to reject.
The 27-year-old is known as ‘Gullit’ in his homeland as he draws a lot of comparisons with the Dutch legend. Pena is a decent playmaker to have, for he has the stamina and physical strength required to get into intense physical battles in the middle of the park and toil relentlessly to cover every blade of grass on the pitch, His move (if it materialises) might not have the spark to be the talk of the transfer window but at the same time, it is a no-nonsense one too. The Mexican, more than anything else, would cultivate a sense of aggression, creativity and resilience in the midfield of the Light Blues, some traits which were evidently lacking last season.
