Confidence is the key for loan Ranger Ryan
They often say that playing for one of the Old Firm clubs means wearing a heavy jersey. Expectations are enormous and there’s no hiding place for anyone who fails to perform. Ryan Kent is the latest man to follow in a long line of distinguished wingers at Rangers. The 21-year-old admits he’s not yet the finished article, but believes that playing in front of vociferous crowds at Ibrox can push him to greater heights. Confidence is key to a creative player and Kent isn’t short of that at the moment. He loved the feeling that came with the Light Blues’ thrilling Europa League victory over Rapid Vienna on Thursday night. Players feed off the cheers of the crowd – especially someone who models himself on Brazilian legend Ronaldinho. Kent said: “The fans seem to really enjoy players getting forward. That suits my identity as a footballer. “I really enoy picking the ball up, dribbling at defenders and getting past them. “When the fans are right behind me, it gives me confidence to do that. “The end product is something I’m still working on in terms of goals, assists and putting the right final balls in. “Ronaldinho was my idol. He always played with a smile on his face and I try to model my game on his playing style.” The Liverpool loanee knows Rangers boss Steven Gerrard better than most. He went on: “I was lucky enough to train with him when I was a youngster at Liverpool. “I was always in awe of him when I went up to the training ground at Melwood. “He had a great presence about him. He has achieved great things, so to have him as my manager is something I’m really grateful for. “His faith has had a massive impact on me and all the players here. “A lot of them have spoken about the confidence the manager has given them and, especially, to me. “He’s not been putting any pressure on me. He always wants me to go and try things and be fearless with the ball. “He says good things will come from it eventually and, hopefully, that’s what it’s looking like at the moment. “The difficult thing about being a winger is that every time the ball comes out to you, it’s expected that you’ll make something happen. “When I was younger I played in a No. 10 role until Michael Beale [now part of Gerrard’s backroom team] came to Liverpool from Chelsea. He changed me into a winger. “Staying at Rangers beyond my loan is definitely something I’d consider. “The fans are amazing here and the club has a lot of history. “But that’s a conversation they will have to have with Liverpool, not me.” Kent is determined to help Rangers beat Hearts at Ibrox today. It would help to put the Light Blues’ Premiership campaign back on track after last Sunday’s defeat against Livingston. That’s something that midfielder Scott Arfield feels is vital. He was delighted to be part of the midweek European success, but knows that domestic results are just as important. Arfield said: “There’s no point doing it on a Thursday if we can’t replicate it at the weekend. “We had an opportunity to put right the Livingston performance and we did that against Rapid Vienna. “We have to keep that going against Hearts. The fans are with us – they wait for us to get going but we didn’t do it at Livingston. “On Thursday night, it felt like this club was back. “The game against Rapid was the kind of atmosphere I’ve dreamt about playing in. It’s the best I’ve ever played in. “Even playing at Old Trafford and the Emirates with Burnley doesn’t compare to that atmosphere in midweek. “I went there as an away player and there’s noise when the 70,000 fans get behind Manchester United or 60,000 for Arsenal. “Anfield is a special night. I played there on a Tuesday night in front of the Kop, which everyone says is the best. “But, in terms of noise, Thursday night was different. “People are now taking notice of this club and see it’s on the up again. “The gaffer hasn’t just assembled a group of players. He’s signed men who police the dressing room and know what it means to wear the badge.”