Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent verdict shared at Rangers as Michael Beale oversees two matches – 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 has seen improvement from exit-bound attackers Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent since Michael Beale took charge at Rangers.
Morelos, 26, and Kent, 26, are both out of contract next year and neither seem to be anywhere near penning fresh terms to extend their stay at Ibrox.
With January less than two weeks away, both players can sign pre-contracts with clubs away from Ibrox ahead of leaving on a free transfer next summer.
Neither have been in particularly good form this season either with Morelos struggling for starts under Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Kent failing to add goals and assists to his game under the Dutchman’s lead.
However, Beale has now won both of his first two matches in charge and McManus is pleased with what he’s seen from Morelos and Kent in Scottish Premiership victories over Hibernian and Aberdeen.
“I think both of them have been playing well, particularly in the second half [against Hibernian],” McManus told Ibrox News.
“Obviously, Morelos gets the winner and he’s got a great record against Hibs, it appears that he scores in every game.“
McManus sounded less enthusiastic about Kent, however.
He’s suggested the English winger could struggle to attract clubs by not contributing towards more goals.
“Kent has shown in flashes but he’s got to add goals. We talk about that every week,” added McManus.
“In modern-day football, it’s all about the numbers, the goals and the assists.
“If you scout somebody you look at that and he’s not scored many goals in the last calendar year. It’s not been good enough.
“I think both of them have played pretty well but I think the manager is looking for more out of them.”
Kent has scored one goal and supplied seven assists in 15 Scottish Premiership appearances this season with one of those assists coming in the 3-2 win over Hibs.
Morelos added his fourth goal of the season in his 14th league game against Hibs but he wasn’t able to add to that tally in what was just his third Premiership start at Aberdeen.
In other Rangers news, a journalist has shared what he’s been told as a £6million bid is lined up for a Gers ace.