Carlos Pena has been ignored by Mexico for over three years – but starring at Rangers means he could force his way into their 2018 plans.
Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha
Actions speak louder than words and the latest reports emanating from Ibrox show that manager Pedro Caixinha is indeed serious about presiding over a major squad re-shuffle this summer.
Grizzled, Euro 2016 winning defender Bruno Alves is on his way from Cagliari and Mexican international Carlos Pena appears to be following in tow. The Scottish Sun claim that the midfielder, nicknamed ‘Guillt’ for his distinctive hairstyle, is edging closer to a switch to Rangers with the director of his current club, Chivas, confirming that a deal had been agreed.
Carlos Pena wants to get his international career back on track
And it appears that Pena is not short of character or quality. The 27-year-old may be one of the most talented Mexican players of his generation but an alleged ‘party boy’ lifestyle has curtailed his progress over the years.
“He was at one time the best Mexican player out there,” El Tri legend Luis Garcia told the Daily Record before tipping Caixinha to curb the attacker’s night owl ways.
The Portuguese is, after all, a renowned disciplinarian and a pragmatist cut from the same cloth as close friend Jose Mourinho.
And, according to the Daily Record, Pena still harbours dreams of earning a place in Mexico’s 2018 World Cup squad – provided they qualify for the tournement in Russia next summer.
The one-time Pachuca starlet has featured 19 times for the national team, scoring seven times, but has featured just twice since playing in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
And reigniting his career by moving to a club of Rangers’ stature will surely aid his ambitions. The Scottish Premiership may not be the most illustrious league one the continent but, if Pena inspires headlines for all the right reasons at Ibrox, Mexico boss Juan Carlos Osorio will no longer be able to ignore him.
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