Rangers transfer update as journalist revises view of Ryan Kent future at Ibrox
Ryan Kent could now be at “the end of the road” at Rangers according to Dean Jones, who no longer expects the winger to stay at Ibrox.
The 26-year-old was underwhelming in the Old Firm derby defeat at Parkhead on Saturday (8 April) and a new environment appears to be on the cards for him after the season ends.
The Englishman is arguably the most high-profile of a slew of first-team Gers players who are on contracts expiring in the summer, but with his place in Michael Beale’s side remaining near-constant Jones thought he would extend his stay.
But the ex-Eurosport journalist told GIVEMESPORT: “You look at somebody like Kent, who is obviously a very talented player, but sometimes I think you can get too comfortable at a club or you just need a change of environment to spark something fresh in terms of your form.
“I did think he would end up staying at Rangers, but I’m starting to have doubts about that now. I think it actually might be the end of the road there.”
Over
Kent has been key for Rangers but it feels like a natural parting of the ways at the conclusion of this campaign, with whatever contract he is looking for unlikely to be justified at Ibrox.
At times he comes in for unwarranted criticism, and certain aspects of his impact are overlooked in the inevitable comparisons to opposite numbers at Celtic such as Leil Abada and Jota.
But if it wasn’t clear by now that Beale needs to inject fresh impetus in Kent’s position the frustrating 3-2 derby loss at the weekend proved it.
Once early in each half the former Liverpool man had the ball in a dangerous position heading into the Hoops’ penalty area, but looked like he had no idea what to do with the ball once he got there and a threatening chance was wasted each time.
The overhaul of the squad has begun with the arrival of Nico Raskin and Todd Cantwell in January, and it is sure to continue with arrivals and departures this summer.
A talented option he may be but the time has come to look beyond Kent as a certain starter, and at this stage it looks like he is ready to go too.
In other Rangers news, the club have already been scouting a new All-Star striker ahead of the transfer window.