Ryan was not a panic buy after Celtic loss
SAYS STEVEN GERRARD
STEVEN GERRARD insists the lastditch £7million capture of ryan Kent was nothing to do with losing to Celtic. Former Parkhead striker Chris Sutton described it as ‘a panic signing’ after the 22-year-old was snapped up 24 hours after the Old Firm defeat.
But Gerrard claimed he spoke to the rangers board about the possibility of a deadline-busting move before the 2-0 loss at Ibrox — and cited qualification for the Europa League group stage as the decisive factor.
‘The Celtic defeat had nothing to do with it,’ said the rangers boss, who had Kent on loan from Liverpool last season. ‘We’d been trying to get ryan Kent through the door from the moment he walked out the door.
‘It wasn’t a reaction to losing. We had a board meeting the day before the Old Firm game.
‘Thankfully, we got it done just in time, but there were times through the transfer window when I didn’t think we’d get him.
‘We did everything we could, and qualifying for Europe certainly helped the club fund the deal, but the board have shown again they are very ambitious and want to try and get back to the top.’
Gerrard laughed when asked about his lengthy pursuit of the winger and joked that he had become fed up hearing the young Englishman’s name.
‘Every rangers fan I came into contact with throughout the transfer window mentioned ryan Kent to me,’ he admitted.
‘I’m actually sick of hearing his name! I just want him to go and play well now, get me some wins and goals.
‘all the way through since we came back on June 15, the players have been saying: “Is ryan coming back? We want ryan back. any news? any progress?”
‘Nobody wanted ryan back more than the dressing room which was the reason, along with my confidence in him and knowing ryan really well, that we never left Liverpool alone.
‘From ryan’s point of view, he has been loaned out to different places for experience. In his mind, enough was enough. He’d had enough of loans.
‘He wanted to find a permanent home and settle down, really try and enjoy the peak years of his career.
‘at his age, he’s got to be looking at the next four to six years to be the peak of his consistency and form. Thankfully, rangers are going to get those best years.’
Kent’s signing prompted as much comment from Celtic fans as it did supporters of rangers.
His six goals in 43 appearances last season were held as a poor justification for a Scottish club to pay such a huge fee.
Of the view that last season was only the start for the wide man, however, Gerrard said he expects his top target to frighten the life out of opponents after signing a four-year deal and settling in Glasgow.
‘Last season was his breakthrough year,’ said the Ibrox boss. ‘He’d had positive and negative loans at other clubs previously after bursting on to the scene. He found it hard to break into the Liverpool squad.
‘In terms of stats, you see his assists and goals and that’s the evidence he is ready to go.
‘But there is much more to ryan Kent than numbers. He is a player who really concerns opposition defenders and coaches.
‘We experienced certain teams setting up in a way that showed they were really concerned about ryan.
‘The relationship between ryan and our fans means it’s really there for him now and I’m really looking forward to seeing how he goes.’
acknowledging the huge expectation on the new signing’s shoulders, Gerrard called on fans to give the player time to find his form and fitness.
‘What I would say is that ryan is not 100-per-cent right now. He will be in the coming weeks.
‘He’s still a good player, he’ll still excite everyone, but a bit of patience is needed for a few weeks until he really gets up to speed. Then I don’t know what’s going to stop him.’