Kai Kennedy could salvage Rangers career with Hampden Park heroics
Rangers were in the headlines again over the past 24 hours as the Scottish Cup semi-final draw put them up against Celtic in what promises to be a huge occasion.
But, Kai Kennedy made sure that the Bears will have representation in both games, as he steered Falkirk into the other semi-final against Inverness on the same weekend.
The young winger looks to have burned his bridges at Ibrox, with this possibly his final loan spell before finally sealing his permanent exit in the summer – or has he?
Kennedy will have been counting his lucky stars that his loan club did not get drawn with his parent club, ending his dreams of shining on the national stage.
The attacker has only ever made one appearance in a senior shirt at Ibrox, and his chances of making any more could depend on him making the headlines on the biggest stage.
Should Rangers smash Celtic and reach the final, and Kennedy guide Falkirk past Inverness, he could even seek permission to play in that against his parent club to try and prove himself.
American side Tampa Bay Rowdies have made a previous approach for the 21-year-old already, so if it all goes wrong and he fails to catch the eye and prove himself, he has that to fall back on it seems [Daily Record].
Changes.
With Michael Beale set to overhaul his squad this summer, there may be spots available for young talents.
The final third may see the biggest change too with Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent and Scott Arfield all seeing their contracts run out with no renewal yet sorted for any of them.
On top of that, the likes of Rabbi Matondo and Scott Wright are fighting for their futures after making little to no impact on the gaffer since his arrival.
Kennedy would be on lower wages and may be happy with more limited game time compared to senior options ahead of him who are not proving themselves to be worth it.
Right now, an exit is more likely but given the run to get to Hampden Park from Kennedy and Falkirk, he may have one last chance to prove he can return to Ibrox and play his part.
In other Rangers news, the club are in line for a multi-million windfall from the Premier League after a £10m Auchenhowie milestone was reached.