‘Game-changer’ – Gerrard blown away by Rangers player who was ‘pleasure to watch’ v Willem II
Steven Gerrard has been waxing lyrical about Ryan Kent after the English forward starred for Rangers in their 4-0 demolition job of Willem II on Thursday night.
Rangers set up a Europa League play-off against Galatasaray at Ibrox with a comprehensive victory in the Netherlands, in which Kent, 23, managed to get on the scoresheet and set up two goals.
The former Liverpool attacker won the penalty for James Tavernier’s goal and found Filip Helander with one of his crosses for the centre-back to score.
His 25th-minute goal was also his fifth in all competitions for the Light Blues this season.
Rangers manager Gerrard is delighted by Kent’s progress in the opening weeks of the new campaign and is thrilled that the extra effort on the training ground is being rewarded on matchdays.
“From an attacking point of view, I think he was the game-changer for us tonight,” said Gerrard after the match on Thursday night, as quoted by the Herald.
“He does incredibly well running in behind and he has added that into his game this season.
“He gets us the penalty for the breakthrough and he is just a constant threat. He is so sharp and he has added a different dimension to his game, added numbers to his game. He is a pleasure to watch and coach and we just need to enjoy him.
“He has got the hunger and the desire and he is putting in the application to improve his numbers. As a coach and a manager and a group of staff, that is part of his development and we have seen that in him.
“We noticed it was a part of his game that we needed to work on and we will continue to work on it. The good thing is that the player has got the hunger to put big numbers in his game and he is aware of that. If he does, it certainly makes us a lot more dangerous as a team.”
Kent has been outstanding for Rangers this season and, as Gerrard said, is finally getting the goals and assists that his performances merit.
One top of improving those stats, the winger’s overall displays are getting better and better.
Stats by WyScout show that on Thursday night, Kent completed 85 per cent of his passes, 67 per cent of crosses, was fouled three times and set up three shots.
If the Gers are going to stop Celtic winning their 10th title in a row this season then they are going to need to rely on Kent being their main man in stopping them.
So far, the 23-year-old has shown he’s the best player in Scottish football and the team with the best player surely has the best chance of winning the Scottish Premiership crown.
In other Rangers news, fans slammed this one player for having a “nightmare” against Willem II.