KENT AND MORELOS ‘DROPPED STANDARDS’
NEAR the top of a bulging in-tray for the next Rangers boss will be fixing the form and futures of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos. The underperforming pair typified the malaise felt in the final weeks of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Ibrox reign. At their peak, the winger and striker were the most explosive talents on the Ibrox books. Yet there’s been precious little sign of that spark in the last year of their contracts and their often-sluggish displays have raised questions over their commitment. Former Rangers star Stuart McCall says a contract impasse is no excuse for allowing an Ibrox career to drift so alarmingly, and says Kent and Morelos must look to team-mate Connor Goldson for inspiration. The defender played throughout last season with his contract winding down, but continued to perform to a high individual level as Rangers reached the Europa League final and lifted the Scottish Cup. He has since signed a new deal. McCall said: ‘For whatever reason, the performance levels of Kent and Morelos have been nowhere near what their standard is. Last season, Kent was the team’s most important player, because he can do something different when it’s tight and teams sit in. ‘I felt he had a really good amount of individuality that could turn a game on its head and win it. At the minute, he looks a shadow of himself. ‘Morelos used to be the darling of the Rangers support — and rightly so. Now, whether it’s his fitness levels or whatever, he’s only got memories of great times. ‘Goldson is a fine example of someone whose contract was running down yet still kept his standards high. Listen, if they’re going to depart at the end of the season — or whenever that might be — that’s something you have to accept. ‘If you’re playing well and it’s off to another top club, fair enough. But if you go and have a fantastic season and the tide turns and you get the title back, who says you don’t do what Connor did? ‘Everyone was surprised Rangers managed to keep him because all the signs were he was moving on. I think he enjoyed his time so much. And I think, if you’re going to leave, then you’ll struggle to find a better club than Rangers.’