Gerrard’s salute for Rangers’ variety star Kent

STEVEN GERRARD last night lavished praise on Ryan Kent for dishing up the variety that pushed Rangers ever closer to the Premiership title with a five-goal romp against Ross County.

Goals from Kent, Filip Helander, Joe Aribo, fit-again Ryan Jack and Connor Goldson made Gerrard’s 150th game as Ibrox boss a real reason for celebration and extended the gap over Celtic at the summit to 23 points, having played three games more.

Gerrard was thrilled with the relentlessness of the display, following criticisms of his side in their most recent outings against Aberdeen and Motherwell — and made special mention of Kent’s return to form after a difficult spell of late. ‘There is no such thing as a perfect performance for a manager,’ said the former Liverpool and England captain.

‘You’re always looking for little things to improve on, but we asked the players for a 90-minute performance and they delivered that. We looked dangerous from

start to finish. We played with a real urgency.

‘We did all the right things and, in possession, we played some lovely football.

‘We could have had the game won in 15 minutes, which is how we wanted the players to start. We had five different scorers and a couple of set-piece goals, so I’m really pleased.

‘It’s about variety in our play. We can’t be predictable with teams in front of us. We have to have a threat in behind.

‘Kent brought that today in abundance. When he plays with that ambition to run in behind without the ball, as well as what he’s got in a one-v-one, he’s hard to control and mark.

‘He deserved man of the match.

Our rotation and interplay was outstanding.

‘At Aberdeen, we came off the game at 65, then last week at Motherwell it took us 45 to get going, so I’m pleased we had a hunger and urgency about us.’

Gerrard, though, has warned his stars against complacency.

‘Does there come a time when you have to accept that a title is there for us? No. Only when it’s done, if it gets done,’ he said.

He was also delighted to welcome back midfielder Jack following a knee injury that had kept him out since November.

‘He’s a fantastic footballer but he also drives standards,’ said Gerrard. ‘He demands from others, he’s a leader and has been a captain before.

‘His goal epitomised our performance. It came from the corner flag in the left-back area. I’m not sure how many passes were involved but it was one of my favourite goals of the season so far.’

Gerrard also challenged Aribo to bring more goals to his game after seeing him score an excellent individual effort.

‘Joe is back for real when he’s scoring goals like that. That’s what we all know he’s capable of,’ said the Rangers manager.

‘For any of the attacking players, they have to get numbers in their game (goals and assists).

‘Joe’s a fantastic kid. He stays behind after training to work on these areas of his game.

‘He has had a tough, disruptive season, but he has worked hard to get back and there have been signs of that in the last few weeks.

‘When he adds numbers to his game, it will be such a help to us.’

Gerrard also hopes that it won’t be long until supporters can get back into games to reconnect with the players, who are so close to earning them a 55th domestic crown.

‘It’s fantastic to see the numbers are improving and dropping,’ he said. ‘Hopefully, at some point in the near future, it will be safe for them to return because they play such a big part here.

‘That’s what this club has been built on and what it’s about. We want them back as soon as possible.’

Rangers are closing in on Bournemouth duo Nnamdi Ofoborh and Jack Simpson — with January deals for the pair up for discussion.

Midfielder Ofoborh and defender Simpson are free agents in the summer and it is understood the Ibrox outfit have put together pre-contract offers. However, they are also open to discussing transfers before the end of the window if Bournemouth are open to cut-price deals.

Meanwhile, Ross County boss John Hughes confirmed that Coventry City and one other unnamed club have come in for 18-year-old defender Josh Reid — left out of the squad for Ibrox — and urged his other players to learn from their defeat.

‘We were up against a top-class team,’ he said. ‘I hope all my players come back and say:

“That’s how to play football”.

‘If you are a professional footballer and you think you are half-decent, after that you should think: “I’ve still got a bit to go”.

‘We just couldn’t have a go at them in the second half as the game was over in the first half.’