Barry Ferguson backs Ryan Kent to sign new Rangers contract after Michael Beale changes
Barry Ferguson has backed Ryan Kent to sign a new Rangers contract after Michael Beale changed things to build the team around him.
Beale went with a 4-2-3-1 formation in his first game back in the 3-2 win over Hibernian, with Kent playing as a number ten and being given the freedom to drift wide and cause havoc everywhere.
It was a solid performance from someone who has struggled for form this season, and Ferguson believes that the player’s relationship with the new manager could be enough to convince him to pen a new deal at Ibrox and stay beyond the summer.
“Those quotes from Beale tell me he wants to try and build the team around Ryan Kent,” he said on GoRadio (19 December).
“I liked his performance last week against Hibs but I’m just going to be greedy with Kent, I want more assists. It’s the final bit in his game that’s letting him down.
“But you can see it’s coming, Michael Beale said he’s known him since he was 14 and there’s a good relationship there. He’s given him a new role with more freedom, and he’ll be key tomorrow (against Aberdeen).
“He’s the one Rangers player that can unlock the Aberdeen defence with a bit of magic. Hopefully he can continue the form he showed against Hibs tomorrow night.
“I’ve got a feeling Kent might sign a new Rangers contract because of his relationship with Michael Beale. Yes he might want to chance his arm down in the English Premier League and earn a big pay day.
“But I’ve got a feeling he might give him another 18 months – if you include half of this season and half of next season – then the January transfer window opens next year.
“He does give 100 per cent. he’s a team player. He does the dirty side of the game. he does put a shift in. The only thing is, you want to see Ryan Kent going the other way and produce magical moments. Hopefully in time, he can get back to that sort of form.”
Earn it
We all love Kent when he’s flying and performing well, because we know that he is one of the best players in the country if he’s up for it.
The problem this season has been the fact that he hasn’t shown up and it seems as if his head has been elsewhere, and with his contract set to expire in the summer that means he is free to speak to other clubs from January.
That means big conversations need to be had, but a new contract can’t just be handed out at Ibrox because of the talent a player has, his performances have to earn it.
Beale knows Kent and knows how to get the best out of him, but if he doesn’t want to be here then we shouldn’t be begging him to stick around especially when his recent performances don’t warrant a new deal.
It’s going to be a very interesting January transfer window and potentially second half of the season should he stick around, and Beale will have a big say on how it goes either good or bad.
In other Rangers news, Charlie Nicholas savages Ibrox star as he names Beale’s “biggest concern”