Rangers: BBC pundit in disbelief at Ryan Kent in 1st half v Motherwell
Ryan Kent has not been his usual self so far this season and he could have given Rangers an early lead away at Motherwell.
The former Liverpool youth player wriggled his way into a great position to shoot after just three minutes thanks to a clever flick from American ace Malik Tillman.
But rather than get a snapshot away to test Liam Kelly early on, who was almost blinded by the low sun at Fir Park, he chose to try and cut back onto his right foot.
BBC pundit Michael Thompson was utterly bemused at the Englishman’s decision in the penalty area live on radio commentary.
“Why has he not shot?” Thompson said on BBC Radio Scotland [16 October, 12:04pm]. “I cannot actually believe he didn’t shoot there.
“He gets the break of the ball, it’s a good flick through by Tillman but he’s only probably eight yards out, on the angle. Just hit it. He tries to chop inside but you’ve got to get a shot away so early in the match.”
No confidence
Giovanni van Bronckhorst must be sat in the dugout wondering where the real Kent has gone this season because he has not looked like the menacing winger that he has been ever since he arrived in Glasgow.
Maybe talk of a move away from Ibrox with his contract expiring at the end of the season is playing on his mind but he is doing himself no favours in attracting new clubs with decision-making like that.
His confidence just shot to bits all of a sudden and whether that is because he has had no joy in the Champions League so far or if he just doesn’t have the motivation right now is something only he knows.
But there is no hiding the fact that he needs to find a new lease of life to maintain his place in the side given the pressure being applied by Fashion Sakala, Rabbi Matondo and Tillman himself.
van Bronckhorst may well be forced into dropping what was one of his star performers last season if he doesn’t buck his ideas up soon.
In other Rangers news, the board at Ibrox are already looking at potential replacements if van Bronckhorst is sacked in the coming weeks.