Steven Gerrard has just been forced into a £6M decision

There’s little doubt Rangers’ display v Celtic today, aside Steven Gerrard’s inept management and poor choices, really lacked urgency, sparkle and invention.

It had effectively no shots on target, apart from two tame Ojo and Aribo efforts, and it harks back to the difference the last time Rangers faced Neil Lennon’s men on their own turf:

Ryan Kent.

We had a comment on the site today suggesting this performance was an omen as to why Steven Gerrard is so desperate to get the winger back, and indeed our own Derek suggested similarly that the pace and energy Kent brought to Rangers last season, especially over the split, even despite our excellent start this season, has nevertheless been missing this campaign, and today’s performance may just have entirely vindicated that opinion.

There is little doubt that despite the terrible system and player selection, there was also a huge loss of energy and workrate – unacceptable of course against Celtic, but we have to look deeper as to why it happened.

Why did a Celtic without a defence find a rampant home side unable to even land a glove on them, and we must concede Kent may just have helped make a hell of a difference.

True, Gerrard made a huge pig’s ear of starting with no wingers, and an inherently narrow formation – there was absolutely no pace despite Ojo and Jones in the squad.

But Kent really did add something that neither of those two was able to when they arrived in the second half – and it becomes apparent now that Rangers are in a position that re-signing Kent has become a must.

It may well cost the reported £6M, but it’s money this club must spend to ensure the squad does not fall apart after this horrible result, and indeed is energised by his return and better prepared for the next Celtic match.

There was a lack of a lot today. Management, coherence, gameplan, and performances. But one thing can be regained in energy and workrate just by bringing the 22-year old back.

It will cost money, but it’s money we may have no option but to spend.