Rangers star who was initially ruled out of the ViaPlay Cup Final could still make it to Hampden.

Jose Cifuentes could still make the Rangers squad for the ViaPlay Cup Final against Aberdeen if Philippe Clement overturns his red card against Dundee.

Following a VAR review after a clash with Dundee striker Amadou Bakayoko, the Ecuadorean international, 24, was given his marching orders by whistler Kevin Clancy.

Initially given a yellow card for the incident in which Jose Cifuentes’ leg caught the striker after Bakayoko won the ball first, some Rangers fans have urged the club to appeal the decision.

Without a doubt, the situation has thrust VAR into the spotlight, with slow-motion replays frequently exaggerating incidents that appear less serious in real-time.

Rangers are also severely lacking in the midfield area as they prepare for the ViaPlay Cup Final against Aberdeen, which they have not won since 2011.

Philippe Clement hints at Jose Cifuentes appeal

Manager Philippe Clement suggested after Rangers’ eventual 3-1 victory over Dundee that he was considering filing an appeal over Jose Cifuentes’ red card.

While it is unclear whether any appeal would free up the Ecuadorean for the Hampden ViaPlay Cup Final clash as the authorities deliberate, a successful appeal would, of course, make Jose Cifuentes available for the game.

The Rangers manager was tight-lipped after the win at Ibrox, indicating that a final decision would be made soon.

“I haven’t seen it back,” said Clement, speaking directly after the Scottish Premiership victory. “What Jose (Cifuentes) told me is he loses the ball and wants to win it back.

“He wants to block the ball but the other guy is a split second faster and he tackles through the ball and like this there’s a contact but he tried to block and avoid the contact.

“He didn’t go through it when he saw was coming in that split second so close, so I want to see things back to have a clear and good opinion.

“We’re going to make an assessment the next days about that.

Rangers are dealing with a midfield injury crisis.

Rangers and Philippe Clement would be wise to consider an appeal with Jose Cifuentes’s place in the League Cup Final in jeopardy.

The Ibrox club is dealing with an injury crisis in the middle of the park, with several first-team players ruled out in recent weeks.

Ryan Jack, who is battling for his Scotland future, has been out with an injury since the last international break.

Nicolas Raskin has been a long-term absentee, while Tom Lawrence has recently joined him, and Kieran Dowell has remained out of the picture under Philippe Clement.

Dujon Sterling has performed admirably when called upon and did so again after stepping into midfield for 10-man Rangers against Dundee.

It leaves the club with few options ahead of a difficult run-in, and any potential Jose Cifuentes appeal would certainly relieve some pressure on a stretched squad.

In other news, Neil McCann insists Rangers’ red card was incorrect, citing a Celtic example to demonstrate he is not wearing blue-tinted glasses.