BBC pundit Richard Foster lauds Ryan Kent as unstoppable after Rangers smash Hearts
Ryan Kent cannot be stopped by any defender in the Scottish Premiership with space ahead of him, after a “devastating” Rangers display, says Richard Foster.
The English winger rebounded from a sending off against Aberdeen and a poor display against Celtic to lay on two assists in the 5-0 thrashing of Hearts and should have scored a couple himself.
The 25-year-old crossed for Alfredo Morelos’ opener, arguably should have been given an assist for Scott Arfield’s fourth, and burst into space down the right to provide for Fashion Sakala’s late fifth, with only a guilt-edged first-half miss a mark against him.
Speaking on BBC Sportscene on Sunday (February 6), Foster said of the late assist: “This from Ryan Kent is superb. As a defender there’s literally not much you can do there, you’ve just got to hold your hands up.
“There’s no defender in the league catching Ryan Kent when he’s got half a pitch to run into.
“It’s a good sign for Rangers that they’ve got players that are hungry to score goals, and like I say, Ryan Kent there was devastating”.
Back to his best
It had been a miserable 2022 for the former Liverpool man, falling into Scott Brown’s trap to be red-carded in the 1-1 draw at Pittodrie in January, then returning for the Old Firm disaster in mid-week.
But he was at his attacking best at Ibrox yesterday, attacking with pace and intent.
If it were not for the all-action return of Morelos from Colombia duty the winger may have gotten more attention.
But Giovanni van Bronckhorst will have been delighted that the striker’s restoration to the side coincided with Kent’s restoration to top form.
Gers had to find an answer to the embarrassment at Parkhead, as well as Celtic’s 4-0 win over Motherwell.
Aside from a few uncomfortable moments earlier in the second half they managed to find that answer in some style, and this form from key attackers is exactly what is needed to chase down their Glasgow rivals.
In other Rangers news, this January signing reveals he rejected interest from the Premier League to sign at Ibrox.