Gerrard is confident Kent will show Ibrox fans he is worth every penny of his £7m fee
STEVEN GERRARD is comfortable with the return on investment so far on his biggest Rangers buy, Ryan Kent, and convinced there will be much more to come. The Ibrox side paid Liverpool £7million for last year’s loan star on deadline day in September, a figure that was guaranteed to place every Kent performance under the closest scrutiny.
Operating under the spotlight of being the club’s most expensive signing since £12m Tore Andre Flo has proved no concern nor impediment to Kent, stressed Gerrard.
Last week’s strike against Hearts was his sixth in 20 appearances, including the career-best display and opening goal that paved the way for victory at Celtic Park in December.
‘I don’t think he’s been bothered about that (fee),’ insisted Gerrard. ‘He’s not one of these people who thinks about that stuff.
‘He just wants to play football, to create and score goals. He’s done that, got to last season’s tally for goals and assists by the end of January, so we’re very pleased with where his numbers are at.
‘I’ll always strive for the best Ryan Kent, whether he’s in top form or indifferent form. He’s one of our best players.
‘It’s vital that he stays fit and healthy because he’s going to be a big help to us from now until the end of the season.
‘We always knew with Ryan — and the reason we were so keen to pay the money for him — that he was always capable of improving his numbers and the signs are that he’s going to do that.
‘He wants to continue to make the fans happy. At his age and the position he plays, it’s almost natural at times that he tries too hard in certain situations — but he’s not the only one. Ryan’s doing fine.’
Kent claimed he was ‘lied to’ at Liverpool during pre-season as regards first-team prospects, his opportunities becoming increasingly limited as the new campaign drew nearer.
Then, after the relief of Rangers rescuing him from the fringes at Anfield, came a ‘second debut’ setback when he was injured against Livingston and ruled out for five weeks.
‘He’s had one of the worst pre-seasons you could have,’ stressed Gerrard.
‘That was in terms of not knowing where he’s going to be, then coming back.
‘And the part that I have to play is probably being too keen to get him in and he got the injury.
‘It is different for him now because, for a long time, he probably didn’t know if he was coming or going at Liverpool.
‘Is he going on loan? Is the manager keeping him for pre-season to give him an opportunity?
‘He’s probably been all over the place from a mental point of view. But this is his home now, he’s settled.
‘We want him to get better and keep improving. There’s no doubt about it, Ryan Kent is going to contribute heavily to this team — for the remainder of this season and moving forward.’
With the next two midweeks featuring Ladbrokes Premiership games — at home to Hibernian then away at Kilmarnock — before the Europa League fixtures return against Braga the following Thursday, Gerrard is expected to mine the full depth of his squad over the next month.
That is why Matt Polster’s emergence in the past 10 days has so pleased the Ibrox boss. The United States international followed up his second-half effort against Hearts with a first start in the win over Ross County, deputising for injured captain James Tavernier.
The right-back remains in recovery from appendix surgery and Polster could also cover in midfield while Ryan Jack is out.
‘We need these players to stand up at this time and that’s why I’ve always said how it’s important that we have two real strong options in every position,’ said Gerrard.
‘He’s capable of being an option in that position if there’s any issues with James.
‘The advantage with Matt — and the reason I’m not panicking with Ryan’s shortterm injury — is with James back, Matt also gives us good cover as a centre midfielder.
‘I played against Matt both as a right-back and a central midfielder when I was in the MLS and both times he shone.
‘That’s what made me aware of him in the first place. Being able to play two positions gives him an advantage in getting on to the pitch, getting more appearances and growing here as a Rangers player.
‘He’s been waiting a while for his opportunity, a real strong opportunity. It has come his way and it looks as though he’s going to take it.
‘Credit to him, he’s never been a problem since day one and every time we’ve used him, whether it be in a small cameo or from the start, he has always given a good account of himself.’