Rangers winger Ryan Kent emulates Lionel Messi role under Michael Beale
Ryan Kent has played a big role under Michael Beale as Rangers have picked up nine points from their last three games in the Scottish Premiership.
Writing his column for the Daily Record (26 December, page 46), Keith Jackson has suggested that Kent is playing a pivotal role in a “big tactical reshuffle” under Beale.
Jackson notes that Kent is doing exactly what Lionel Messi did for Argentina in the World Cup.
Messi was outstanding for his country as Argentina lifted the World Cup in Qatar beating France in the final. He is playing in a more central position where he is now more effective.
“Kent’s redefined role in Beale’s big tactical reshuffle indicates how much the manager trusts in this particular player,” wrote Jackson for The Daily Record.
“Beale may still be feeling his way into the position and is carrying out running repairs as he goes along. But what has become crystal clear already is Kent’s importance to everything he is trying to knit together.
“By deploying the attacker in a more central position he has effectively asked him to do for Rangers what Lionel Messi was doing for Argentina throughout the World Cup.”
Contract situation
Kent has been outstanding for the Bears in the second half of the campaign and the club must extend his stay beyond the summer.
The versatile winger has a contract at the club until the end of the season and there has been no indication about whether he will sign a new deal at Ibrox.
Under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Kent has been mainly used on the left flank where he was expected to either cut inside or pick a pass for teammates.
Despite his brilliance, his numbers, in terms of goals and assists, were pretty low. It gave the impression that Kent is not contributing enough, although he has always been the bright spark for the side.
Under Beale, Kent has been used centrally, a role superbly handled by Messi during the World Cup. Instead of using him as an out-and-out winger, Kent has been shifted into a more creative position through the middle.
As a result, Kent has been given the freedom to attack teams from all possible angles, and thus there is unpredictability to his game now.
In other Rangers news, a £5million twist has emerged in Southampton’s bid to sign Ryan Kent.