If there is anyone who could convince Ryan Kent to remain at Rangers it's Michael Beale - after all the winger has known the highly-rated coach for more of his football career than he hasn't.
The pair enjoy a positive relationship spanning 12 years - almost five more than Kent has been a full-time first-team professional football. If Beale talks, Kent listens, and vice-versa.
It's therefore not outwith the realms of possibility that Kent could end up staying at Ibrox and not departing in the summer when his current contract expires - and Beale remains hopeful there's a future with the winger as part of his squad past the summer.
"People think it’s all about tactics but it’s actually about the relationships you have, and the feeling you have towards the other person in that relationship," said Beale of his approach as a manager.
"Make that journey very personal. I’ve lived that with Ryan Kent for example, from 14 until now.
"To be fair with Ryan it’s a look. If I give him a certain look and then he gives me a look.
"We have known each other for so long. Ryan and I have always been at complete ease with each other. I have always been a strong guide on his journey. There is an honesty. We’ve only spoken on the phone two times ever in 12 years.
"The first was when I rang him to see if he was coming to Rangers and he said he wasn’t sure if he was good enough. Believe it or not. And then last Friday when he asked to find out if I was coming back."
Kent has come under considerable criticism this season over his performances for Rangers both in Europe and on the domestic scene. It has often been levelled that his poor form is down to his uncertain Rangers future with contract negotiations ongoing off the pitch. For Beale, Kent remains one of the best talents in the league, and off the pitch a sensitive and deep thinker who requires proper handling.
"I know his parents and they come to every single game," said Beale. "Can you imagine being his parents at times? People have to remember it’s someone’s son out there. "Listen, I trust him. I think sometimes he wants to do so well that he does too much. Confuses himself.
“He is sensitive. He thinks a lot and he cares a lot. That probably comes out sometimes in his body language.
“We had a conversation, all of us, with him a few years ago when there was a lot in the media about a club being after him. He said he didn’t want to leave here until he had won. So fair play to him. They are the background conversations people don’t see.”
Kent and Alfredo Morelos remain major question marks ahead of the January window - where both players will be able to negotiate pre-contract moves away from Ibrox. But Beale is certain the winger, 26, is absolutely focussed on performing for his current club and not on the noise outside of Ibrox.
"We don’t want anyone here who doesn’t want to be here," Beale said when asked about Kent's contract situation, before adding: "Now I think Ryan does want to be here."
He continued: "Everything is looking really positive but there has just been a huge change at the football club. Change for the worse, change for the better? Time will tell.
"But he wants to be part of an exciting Rangers that is moving in the right direction. So let’s see.
"The important thing is he looks like he is all in. He looks like he is ready and committed for this period right now so let’s deal with that. I’m really hopeful with Ryan."
