Nigel Spackman anticipating big Rangers display from Ryan Kent
Former Rangers midfielder Nigel Spackman believes Ryan Kent could be key when they face Braga for the crucial second leg clash of their Europa League tie.
The two sides are set to face off under the lights at Ibrox on Thursday night for a place in the semi-finals, with the Portuguese visitors holding a slender one-goal advantage after their first leg encounter.
Speaking to talkSPORT, and as quoted by the Daily Record, Spackman seems to believe the 25-year-old English winger holds the key for the Gers’ progression in the competition.
“They’ve got to keep it tight defensively and can’t afford to give a goal away,” said the talkSPORT pundit.
“You just hope the bigger players like Kent turn up and you go ‘well who is going to score the goals?’
“Can Kent do something special? He’s got to get it right.”
Key Man?
With star striker Alfredo Morelos missing such a crucial game, the impetus is definitely there for someone else to step up for Rangers.
Kemar Roofe netted his first hat-trick for the club in the 4-0 victory over St Mirren but only has one European goal to his name this season, which came way back during the group stage against Brondby.
Kent meanwhile has seemed to relish the big stage, racking up goal contributions in both legs of the previous knockout ties against Red Star Belgrade and Borussia Dortmund, and was kept disappointingly quiet in Portugal.
He has history against the upcoming opponents, bagging the only goal during the second leg of a Europa League tie back in the 2019/20 season, and will need to provide similar inspiration to drag his side through against them once more.
With talks continuing to swirl about his future, Kent will want to put in a performance that impresses any potential suitors.
In other Rangers news, this former England striker has described Ibrox as a “fortress” ahead of their latest Europa League showdown.