Kenny Miller watched Ryan Kent's performance against Hibs and wondered why the winger wasn't playing like that for the first half of the season.
The former Ibrox hitman believes some top stars in Glasgow are already looking 'rejuvenated' under new boss Michael Beale after the Englishman called on some Rangers stalwarts to get the job done against Hibs. The two crucial goals on Thursday were scored by Ryan Jack and Alfredo Morelos - players that had fallen down the pecking order for Gio Van Bronckhorst.
But Beale has awakened some missing in action stars according to Miller, with the pundit singling out Ryan Kent's showing against Lee Johnson's men as a cause for some question. The former Liverpool star has yet to commit his future to Ibrox off the pitch but Miller says he must have a 'long, hard look at himself' as to why his performances weren't up to standard at the start of the campaign.
He wrote in his Daily Record column: "It has only taken 90 minutes of Michael Beale being in the dugout but already Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Glen Kamara look rejuvenated as Rangers players. That was the main thing that struck me from Beale’s first proper day in office at Ibrox in Thursday’s win over Hibs.
"All three looked energised, hungry and just happy to be playing – which wasn’t the case for the first three-and-a-half months of the season. They were key men in what was a good start for Beale – but he will also know it could be much better. There was good energy throughout the team – an enthusiasm to go and play.
"Under Gio van Bronckhorst the players had gone stale. They didn’t come close to hitting the levels of the team that won the league 18 months ago and reached the Europa League Final in May. But there was a refreshing freedom to their play on Thursday and it bodes well, even if it’s just a start.
"A lot of criticism has been thrown at Kent and Morelos but you can see those two are happy that Beale is now back in the building. They look more relaxed to go and show a better version of themselves on the park.
"For whatever reason, Kent wasn’t performing and he needs to have a long, hard look at himself in the mirror and ask why. Every player needs to have a pride in their performance, no matter what. On Thursday, Kent had a different role and wasn’t stuck to the left side. He had freedom to wander into central positions and that suits him."
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