KENT WILL BE LOOKING TO CASH IN AT FAN-FREE PARKHEAD

IT’S too early to conclude that Rangers have solved the mentality problems that plagued them last season. I think Steven Gerrard would view Rangers’ start to the campaign as relatively easy. They’ve played newly promoted Dundee United at home, which is a game you’d expect them to win. Likewise, you’d back them to beat St Mirren, St Johnstone and Kilmarnock at home and Hamilton away. The only game I thought would be a test was Aberdeen away but the Dons were way off it, had no striker and had no attempts at goal. Rangers’ only dodgy result was 0-0 at Livingston but they dominated that game and had 23 attempts on goal to the home side’s two. Stiffer tests are on the way, like Easter Road on Sunday then Motherwell away. After then hosting Ross County, it’s the first Old Firm game of the season at Celtic Park. But Rangers have started the season playing at a good level, with Ryan Kent particularly impressive. I’ve a lot of admiration for Kent because he’s come under scrutiny from people questioning if he was value for money. He looks on top form now — and will have half an eye on the fact the Celtic-Rangers game will probably be played without fans in October. We’ve seen mistakes behind closed doors from Christopher Jullien at Kilmarnock, while Virgil van Dijk made mistakes against Leeds United that I never saw him make even in training with Celtic. When the top players — never mind the likes of Jullien and Kris Ajer — are making errors because the lack of atmosphere makes the games feel like a training session, Kent will be looking to rip it up at Celtic Park. Following Saturday’s 4-0 win over United, Gerrard said the club needs to accelerate its transfer business after injuries to Ryan Jack, Alfredo Morelos, Brandon Barker and Leon Balogun. Losing Jack is like Celtic losing Callum McGregor and losing Morelos like losing Odsonne Edouard. Losing Barker is the equivalent of Celtic losing Mikey Johnston. If Jack and Morelos faced four months out, then replacements would be needed, but both don’t look like being out for too long. Gerrard is jumping the gun a bit by asking for players to come in to replace short-term injuries. But that shows his mindset and just how big a season this is for Rangers.