Rangers starlet Kennedy hopes latest loan will give his first-team chance
Kai Kennedy is hoping that his loan from Rangers to Hamilton Academical will be the move that helps him secure first-team football at Ibrox.
The 19-year-old spent the first half of 2021-22 at Dunfermline but he was recalled by the Gers due to a lack of playing time compared to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s expectations.
He has now joined Accies and came off the bench to make his debut against his former loan club in a 1-0 defeat.
“In myself I know I need to be adding more goals and assists to my game to become a better player and that’s something I’ve been working on,” Kennedy said, as quoted by the Daily Record.
“The aim is to go back to Rangers and push for the first team.
“In all the loans I’ve had the same aim, but hopefully this is the one where I get it right and I’ll be working hard for that.
“I always have been [working hard] but I’m just looking to add numbers here and I hope that takes care of itself.
Impressive attitude
The road to the first team is never going to be one without a bump thrown in here and there and van Bronckhorst will be intently watching to see how Kennedy reacts to them.
And the signs so far suggest he has embraced the difficult moments in his career so far which will encourage the Dutchman.
He has previously been out on loan at Raith Rovers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle without pulling up any trees and for some that would be enough to discourage them.
But not Kennedy, he has gained even more motivation following his difficult time away from Ibrox which is as important as the performances themselves.
van Bronckhorst wants strong characters in his side and the 19-year-old has exactly that and we could be seeing him involved in the Light Blues’ first team next season.
In other Rangers news, a deal is likely to be agreed for this 24-year-old to leave Ibrox before 31 January.