By Anthony Onifade

21st Apr, 2023 | 8:10am

Journalist speculates Ryan Kent exit from Rangers as magic spark fizzles out

Ryan Kent’s performance in the recent Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic has led many to suggest his future lies away from Ibrox this summer, according to Derek Clark.

The Gers winger is out of contract at the end of the season and is currently free to discuss pre-contract deals with interested parties ahead of a potential summer transfer.

And according to Mail Plus [18 April], Kent is one step closer to a Rangers exit after high-flying Sky-Bet Championship side Burnley “made their move” to sign him this summer and the Scottish Sun revealed on 15 April that they were now set to scout him over the remaining matches of the season.

Clark writing for the Rangers Review [19 April] claimed his showing in the recent Old Firm derby clash suggests to many that he will be leaving the club this summer as his inconsistencies this season have become a worry.

He said: “Kent on a free transfer is an attractive option for many clubs. Over the course of his five seasons at Ibrox, he has provided magical moments, often in high-profile European fixtures, that will have caught the eye of potential suitors.

“His performances during last year’s heroic Europa League run were dazzling and perhaps it was a tad surprising an offer didn’t materialise in the summer of 2022 off the back of scintillating displays against the likes of Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.

“However, those magical moments have dried up. Like many this term, he has struggled for form and despite an initial upturn when Michael Beale returned to the club as manager, Kent’s showing in the recent Old Firm defeat has led to many suggesting it’s time for a parting of ways.”

Inevitable

It seems an Ibrox departure at the end of the season is inevitable for Kent as he seeks to run the remaining two months on his current Rangers contract down.

If the 26-year-old winger wanted an Ibrox stay, he will have already signed a contract well before his current deal runs out which means the Light Blues will have to start identifying replacements right now before the summer window begins.

Kent is certainly a player who excites and gets bums off seats but these moments are very fleeting. There’s no doubt, he’s a talented player but his inconsistencies this season will have certainly had fans talking and predicting the worst in regard to his immediate future.

There’s a case to argue that his performances for Rangers in recent weeks is because his head is already focused on his next move which makes you think whether Beale will be wanting to start Kent again in the upcoming games.

It’s gotten to the stage of the season where the Rangers boss will have to start planning for next season, which means players who won’t be at Ibrox for the long haul arguably shouldn’t be the focus of his plans for the remainder of this campaign.

Should Kent leave as expected this summer, the Gers fans will be hoping he puts in a performance for the ages against Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final coming up. He’s got to depart on a high note, surely?

In other Rangers news, a winger is already being targeted as a possible Ibrox replacement.