Kent hints at Ibrox exit after telling interview

Ryan Kent has for the first time rather hinted he sees his future away from Rangers, after only being able to talk about the ‘immediate’ future at Ibrox and speaking at length in glowing terms of his ex manager and Michael Beale, but being unable to say an awful lot at all about new manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

The winger, just back from a long injury, had a difficult match at Easter Road last night, but made a game-changing contribution getting fouled in the box by Hibs’ Ryan Porteous to earn the winning penalty.

However, it was his pre-match interview for Sky in which he spoke with such affection for the former manager, who he credits for giving him his career and for learning so much under him, while also speaking of ‘Bealey’ who he’s known his whole career, and admitting that his immediate future only is at Ibrox.

But not much more.

When asked about the new manager he effectively had nothing to say, and didn’t even mention GVB by name, also adding that he was effectively ‘disrupted’ because this is the first time in his career he’s changed manager half way through a season.

Kent has always carried himself well as a Rangers player, never speaking ill and always being grateful to the club, but his interview yesterday was the first time we’ve seen him looking unfocused on the club, and in truth we supposed we can’t fully blame him.

He credits the ex-manager as the main catalyst for his career, and couldn’t speak more highly of him, whereas he has nothing to say on the new boss because he doesn’t know him at all – but even more tellingly we all know he’s having to commute south for hours at a time in order to be with his partner, who is based in England now.

So, in truth, it’s probably better for Ryan Kent and for Rangers (including his contract situation too) that Rangers cash in on him in January because while we know his quality isn’t in doubt, his focus may just be now, and we need players who see their future in Govan.

Maybe that’s no longer Ryan Kent.