Michael Beale is planning sit-down talks with Ryan Kent later this month as he looks to thrash out the Rangers contract rebel’s Ibrox future.
The 26-year-old is now into the final three months of his current deal and rumours of English interest from Burnley and Leeds have ramped up in recent days. But Beale hasn’t given up hope of persuading the on-form playmaker to stay in Glasgow and is ready to give it another go during the up-coming international break. He said: “We’ve had discussions around it and we’ve both parked everything until we’ve found a moment.
“The next moment will be in the next international break when we’ll sit and have another chat. We’re both cool, we’re both on the same page and I think it’s right after the amount of years he’s been here and the changes with his third manager here as well that he takes time to consider his options. It’s the same that we do as well. We’ve not put anything in front of him, we’ve just had conversations, at this moment in time that’s the best place to be.
“Is Ryan Kent playing very well at this moment in time? Yes, so there’s no issue. We just keep moving forward, I’m still building the squad that I want for next year and if he’s in it’s because he desperately wants to be here.
“If he’s out it’s because he doesn’t so it’s quite clear in that sense. Our relationship will always remain the same. It’s a young boy that I saw at the start of his journey so I’m quite proud with what he’s achieved so far in his career.”
Kent isn’t the only Rangers ace with doubt hanging over his future. Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Jack, Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield, Steven Davis and Filip Helander are also nearing the end of their current contracts.
But Beale insists he’s happy to talk through his plans for next season with anybody harbouring concerns.
“My door’s always open,” said the Gers boss. “They can come and speak to me. No one seems to be in a difficult place or have a lack of clarity at the minute. Everyone seems to be happy and playing well.
“Our form has been really, really strong and our performances in the last couple of games, certainly the first half of the Kilmarnock game and pretty much the whole game the other night at Hibs were really strong performances so I just take it off of that.
“I’ve got four or five waiting on the side that are chomping at the bit to get into the team so I’m in a good place at the moment.”
One man who won’t be featuring again this term, however, is Kemar Roofe. The former Leeds striker’s had a campaign plagued by injury and it’s now been confirmed he won’t play again due to a hip complaint.
Like fellow long-term casualty Tom Lawrence, he’s now expected back in pre-season and Beale said: “Kemar has had a minor operation, he’ll be back for pre-season.
“The decision was taken with the short amount of league games left it was better to get these boys ready for a new campaign and they’ll be important players for us come pre-season.”
