Chris Sutton fears Ryan Kent danger to Celtic as Rangers head into Old Firm derby
Chris Sutton is worried about the damage Rangers winger Ryan Kent can do to Celtic when the two sides meet for the first Old Firm derby of the season.
The English attacker missed some games earlier in August with a knock but when fit is one of the first names on the team sheet for Giovanni van Bronckhorst, and will surely be key when the Gers head to Parkhead at the weekend (3 September).
Former Hoops striker Sutton, never one to unduly praise a Light Blues player, believes the 25-year-old doesn’t put up the numbers that he should do, but is still concerned over the danger he poses to his former club.
Speaking live on the BBC Radio 5 Live Monday Night Club (29 August, 7.12pm) Sutton said: “In terms of the game on Saturday, it’s so difficult to call because Rangers have players who can hurt Celtic.
“I don’t think Ryan Kent, his numbers, I think he’s an outstanding player and I think he’s such a handful. But if you look at his numbers, assists and goals, they aren’t there.
“But every time I watch him, and when Celtic play them, he’s the one I fear the most from Celtic’s point of view.”
Danger man
With 30 goals and 50 assists in a Gers shirt from 180 appearances that appears to be a relatively healthy return, but in light of how games so often turn on something the former Liverpool man does it is probably not representative.
He has three assists already this season, and the number of penalties he wins through the sheer panic he instills in opposing defenders when he takes the ball into the area won’t show up in his stats.
His finishing could improve but he remains a vital element of the attack for the Bears, and is why they are currently attempting to get him tied down to a new contract as he has entered the final 12 months of his current one.
It’s little wonder that Sutton fears Kent having a good game because on his day there a few defences in Europe let alone the SPFL who can live with him.
Having dropped two points at Hibernian a week ago amid a card-happy performance from Willie Collum, the first meeting of the two Glasgow rivals at Celtic Park is a big opportunity to strike a blow in the quest to regain the title.
Alfredo Morelos may still not yet be involved after he was dropped from the squad, which Sutton hardly held back in trashing the Colombian for, but in his absence Antonio Colak has hit red hot goalscoring form, so he will also be crucial in a massive game.
In other Rangers news, Michael Beale has given his verdict on the club’s conundrum over the futures of Kent and Morelos with both in the final years of their deals.