Rangers transfer chief Nils Koppen has defended the signing of Oscar Cortes as he revealed the winger had a "blank injury record" when he moved to Glasgow.
The director of football recruitment has insisted he has full confidence in the summer signing despite questions over a transfer fee shelled given Cortes' recent injury record.
Koppen has explained there were no pre-existing injuries or concerns identified in a "perfect" medical for Cortes with investigations into his cruel run of knocks underway.
Cortes had joined Rangers on loan from Lens last season before returning on a loan-to-buy obligation and signing a lengthy deal at Ibrox.
Despite current concerns, Koppen remains assured in the transfer signing as he tipped Cortes to realise his potential over a prolonged period in Glasgow.
The transfer guru explained: “Oscar came in with a blank injury record. No injuries, no scans, everything was perfect.
“We’re looking into it as a club. I'm still confident in the move to bring him here.
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"We signed him on a five-year deal and still believe in his potential over a longer period."
Cortes suffered three separate injuries in 2024 and is currently sidelined after a "bad knock" in training.
The Colombian winger last featured from the bench against Dundee. He had played 45 minutes against Dundee United the week prior but has otherwise been absent all season.
Confirming the injury blow ahead of the Europa League win over Malmo, Philippe Clement said: "We lost one player with Oscar (Cortes) in the training. In a tackle he got a bad knock and he will be out for several weeks so that is a disappointment.
“Because he was growing back to his best level and showing the player that he was, is and will be in the future. The rest of the squad stays the same."
Asked if there was a concern given Cortes' repeated injury struggles, Clement said: "No, it's duels. It's part of football, you have lucky and unlucky moments.
“It was not a crazy tackle but you have duels in football and things can happen and he has been really unlucky in the last couple of months with those things.
“I hope the bad luck for him stops now after this and the rest of his career will be the luck side but it is part of football."
