Ryan Kent could be axed by Giovanni van Bronckhorst for Rangers showdown v Hearts – pundit
We’re delighted to welcome Tam McManus as our exclusive Rangers columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…
Tam McManus believes Ryan Kent’s place in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s starting line-up is “under threat” going into Rangers’ clash with Hearts at Ibrox on Wednesday night.
Van Bronckhorst could be naming a team in a bid to save his job in Govan after suffering a humiliating 2-1 defeat away at St Johnstone at the weekend.
Pressure on the Dutchman is increasing and Kent, 25, is accused of being a serial underperformed for the Light Blues this season.
Ex-striker McManus feels as though the English winger could lose his spot in the starting line-up as van Bronckhorst aims to save his job with a win over the Jam Tarts.
“They were really poor at the weekend against St Johnstone so I think van Bronckhorst will ring the changes,” McManus told Ibrox News.
“It’s a different kettle of fish when you lose away from home for Rangers.
“But at Ibrox, when there are 50,000 baying for your head and there are directors in there listening to it, it’s a real pressure game for the players against Hearts.
“With a win, they’ll go six points behind Rangers.
“I think he’ll make changes, particularly in the midfield area, where I thought they were poor [against St Johnstone].
“Ryan Kent seems to play every week but he’s not producing. He’s not producing goals and he’s not producing assists.
“His place should be under threat.”
Kent has scored just one goal in 20 appearances across all competitions for Rangers this season and that came in the 4-0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle in October.
He’s also supplied five assists.
Only James Tavernier, John Lundstram and Borna Barisic have played more minutes for van Bronckhorst this season [transfermarkt].
In other Rangers news, this former Premier League manager is a “standout” choice to replace van Bronckhorst if he’s sacked.