Saikat Mandal

Mon 2 January 2023 9:10, UK

Kris Commons has brutally criticized Rangers winger Ryan Kent saying he is a “show pony” whose end product is “woeful” ahead of the Old Firm clash against Celtic on Monday (2 January).

Writing his column for the Scottish Daily Mail (2 January, page 60), Commons has suggested that none of the current Rangers players will get into the Celtic squad at the moment.

He was especially harsh on Kent, saying that it would make him laugh to compare the former Liverpool winger with Jota, as the 26-year-old old flatters to deceive.

“Ryan Kent ahead of Jota? Don’t make me laugh. I’ve said it before this season — Jota is the player Ryan Kent dreams of being,” wrote Commons, who previously worked as a pundit for Sky Sports.

“Kent is a show pony who too often flatters to deceive. His end product is woeful for a player who cost Rangers £7 million.”

Big game

It’s a massive game for Kent and his Rangers’ future is largely dependent on it.

Kent gets a lot of stick for his price tag but that is something he had no control over. He is a brilliant winger who can come up with moments of sublime brilliance. He has got pace and skill and can terrorize defence with his directness. 

However, the lack of output from his game makes him a frustrating player to watch. He doesn’t score enough, nor he provides enough assists.

In that respect, he probably cannot replace Jota in a combined XI, but in terms of talent, there’s very little to differentiate.

Kent has a contract at Ibrox until the end of the season, and there has been no indication that he will sign a new deal at the club.

His performance has hugely improved under Michael Beale who has made a tactical shift, by changing his role. Instead of hugging the touchline out wide, he is now operating more centrally, similar to a role performed by Lionel Messi for Argentina in the World Cup.

In other Rangers news, a supercomputer has been crunching the numbers to predict a vital must-win game for Beale against Celtic.