Barry Ferguson shares what he’s heard about Ryan Kent quitting Rangers amid new development
Barry Ferguson believes Rangers need to start preparing for life without Ryan Kent as the winger looks increasingly likely to leave Ibrox this summer.
The winger and his representatives have already held talks with Premier League-bound Burnley, Ibrox News has been told.
Kent missed the club’s clash with St Mirren on Saturday (15 April), a match where the Gers ran riot and scored five goals.
Discussing the upcoming clash with Aberdeen on Sunday (23 April), Ferguson wrote for the Daily Record (Page 58, 21 April): “It will be interesting to see what team Beale sends out because after the win over St Mirren last week I’ve heard some discussions about whether or not this is the time to prepare for life without Ryan Kent.
“Kent wasn’t fit last weekend but in the end Rangers came away with five goals and an emphatic win. And yes, I’m starting to believe his time at the club is probably coming to an end. Having always thought he’d sign a new deal to stay beyond the end of the season, I’m starting to change my mind.
“I hope I’m wrong as he’s such a talented player and I think he comes in for a lot of unfair criticism. But it does now look as if he’ll be away in the summer and if that’s the case, I can understand why some fans would rather see him phased out of the starting line-up.”
Kent dilemma
It’s a difficult situation for Rangers manager Michael Beale to be in, with the boss eager to close the gap on rivals Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, but at the same time get his squad ready for next season.
And talented winger Kent doesn’t seem to be part of those future plans, meaning it would definitely make sense for Beale to gradually phase the attacker out of the starting XI in the coming weeks.
Moreover, the Gers proved they don’t exactly need the former Liverpool man by scoring five goals against St Mirren.
But Kent has been a superb servant to the club, and it would be a real shame to see his time at Ibrox end in any negative or acrimonious manner.
There is, however, the important factor that he is pushing for an exit to Burnley, with some fans perhaps set to question his attitude and commitment on the pitch from now until the end of the season.
In other Rangers news, one player has reportedly gone from “best on earth” to “what on earth has happened,” and could leave Ibrox this summer.