HE is an unknown quantity that has already made headlines, a player with several stories to tell that is preparing to write a new chapter in his career.

Like Pedro Caixinha before him, Carlos Pena has arrived in Glasgow with a point to prove.

He has critics to silence and doubters to win over. The Rangers boss is not one of them, though.

The midfielder flew in from Mexico this week and is set to become the third signing of the summer for Rangers following the acquisitions of Bruno Alves and Ryan Jack.

Pena, known as Gullit in his homeland due to his likeness to Dutch legend Ruud, has described the chance to forge a career for himself in Europe as a dream come true.

He will provide more competition in the middle of the park and add a physicality and nous that has been missing from the Light Blues for some time.

“He is a player who had a lot of promise in the last couple of years and has maybe fallen off a little bit,” Jon Arnold, the editor of Goal.com USA, told Herald Sport.

“He is very physical, he knows how to use his body but he has talent.

“There are a lot of harsh tackles in the Mexican league but I wouldn’t call it a physical league, it is more about technical ability.

“He is built and in the United States we would probably convert him into an American Football player.

“Not all Mexican players would fit in Scotland, from what I have seen of it. The football is not necessarily conducive to every Mexican player but he is one that Caixinha has obviously seen and feels he could deal with the physicality of the league.”

Pena may not be a household name here but he has forged a reputation on and off the park, good and bad, during his stints with Pachuca, Leon and Guadalajara.

His efforts in Liga MX were recognised on the international stage but it is in Scotland where the 27-year-old will now look to shine.

It was during his time as boss of Santos Laguna that Caixinha became familiar with Pena’s talents and the reunion could bring out the best in him once again.

“When he left Leon, he shed tears, so he is clearly a guy that is passionate about the game and what he does,” Arnold said.

“He couldn’t turn down the move to Guadalajara but it never really clicked for him. He is a player that could use a change of scenery.

“He showed a lot of promise a couple of years ago but we have never seen it manifest itself, so maybe this move will be good for him and Caixinha can get something out of him.”

Pena could be at the heart of Caixinha’s Ibrox blueprint next season and will hope to make a name for himself for all the right reasons. Allegations and incidents have permeated his career.

He has repeatedly defended himself against a series of accusations regarding his lifestyle, while former manager Matias Almeyda admitted the midfielder had ‘some episodes’ during his time at Guadalajara.

“The Mexican Press is similar to some other countries and it is quite ruthless,” Arnold said.

“A player could go out for one beer after a game and it is headline news and cast in a negative light with people saying ‘why would you do this?’ or ‘I can’t believe it’.

“I think he got himself in trouble with women but I don’t think partying has necessarily been an issue.

“It seems like more than liking to party or drink, he has been involved with women who have leaked some things in the Press to maybe lower his reputation.

“The Mexican Press is so tabloid. Sometimes there are players who are going nuts but they get protected and others who hardly go out and when they have one beer it becomes headline news.”

The capture of Pena would be the culmination of a productive few days for Caixinha as he has started his summer rebuilding job at Ibrox.

Gullit may not be the only Mexican that makes Glasgow their home from home. Having reinforced his defence and midfield, a move for striker Eduardo Herrera would add more strength and depth to the spine of his side.

“He is a big guy and he could mould himself into a traditional centre-forward,” Arnold said.

“He knows how to use his body, especially to score headers, but he is not necessarily a guy you want to just lump in crosses to.

“He is not a big burly guy that will go after every cross but not track back and look for the ball.

“He can receive the ball and pass the ball, is comfortable enough with his back to goal but is someone that can be involved in a more flowing attack than maybe a traditional No.9 can.

“He has potential that we maybe haven’t seen in the last year or so. That doesn’t mean he won’t be a success and maybe he is one that Caixinha thinks will fit the Scottish league.”

It will take time for most of Caixinha’s summer recruits to adjust to life at Ibrox but there is a requirement for Rangers to hit the ground running in the coming weeks as they prepare for their return to the Europa League and the new Premiership campaign.

It was at Santos where the Portuguese lifted the only silverware of his coaching career to date and he remains highly thought of in the game as he embarks on a fresh challenge.

“Caixinha was different in Mexico,” Arnold said. “He is a very dapper guy, he dresses well, speaks well and he had a tactical knowledge that we hadn’t seen.

“You get the impression there are a lot of Mexican coaches that roll out the ball and say ‘right guys, let’s go get them’ and that is the training for the week.

“Caixinha is well respected here, especially after he won the title. If he had left then his reputation would be sterling and he might even be coaching one of the biggest Mexican teams.

“He left abruptly after a difficult start to the next tournament for Santos and they did really poorly. They are known as a selling club so it is a difficult place to manage and I understand why he left.

“I think the impression in Mexico is that he is a good coach and manager and it was no surprise when he turned up in Europe.

“I think he has a lot of knowledge of the game, an eye for talent. I am fascinated to see the project at Rangers and I would be pretty optimistic if I were a Rangers fan.”