It’s time for Rangers to give Ryan Kent a new deal

If there’s a player at Rangers who unfairly divides some fans and has quite a few supporters with axes to grind over him, it’s winger Ryan Kent.

This dynamic attacker, who has been one of Rangers’ star performers since he joined, rather unjustly comes under the critical eye of some supporters who appear to expect the earth, moon and stars from him.

Now, we will always be honest on Ibrox Noise – his goalscoring stats last year weren’t great, just the 3 in all competitions. But his assists stats are being ignored, a world class 20 in 43 matches, including 5 in the UEL.

And there’s an inescapable reality that Kent’s shooting is simply not his strongest suit – he isn’t bad, but he misses in good positions far too often, carrying a lack of luck with his final shot, dragging it just a bit wide more frequently than he’d want.

But his job is assists and on that front he’s among the best in Europe.

He’s also had major change in his personal life – previously, he had reason to commute south frequently, with early starts a bane of his life.

Those circumstances have changed completely, and he’s now completely settled in Scotland with no reason to make his way to England, and that may help completely put his mind at rest and give him a boost to focus purely on his football.

But he is out of contract next summer and that’s an issue, because Rangers don’t want to lose a £20M+ winger for less than his value.

The sooner he’s tied down to a longer term contract the better, and he can completely put all thoughts of moves on the backburner and concentrate on the stuff that matters, the better.

Ryan Kent is one of Rangers’ best but most underappreciated players. Despite his song tearing your defence apart, maybe he could use a bit more love at times.

And a new deal would help there we think.