Ryan Kent is currently at a crossroads in his Rangers career. But new boss Michael Beale believes he can guide the £7million winger in the right direction.
In January, Kent will be able to talk to other clubs about potentially leaving Ibrox next summer. And for large chunks of this season the 26-year-old hasn’t performed to the level he’s capable of with so much uncertainty around his future. But Beale might be about to change all that. He knows Kent better than most.
He has followed his career path from failing to get a game at Bristol City to tearing apart Borussia Dortmund. Beale was with him for most of that journey, from Liverpool ’s academy to Steven Gerrard’s most expensive signing at Rangers. There’s a telepathy between player and coach that Beale now wants to use to his advantage as manager. He has made it clear that he wants his talented wide man to stay.
At the club’s AGM last week the board admitted they’ve tried and failed so far to get Kent to commit. But Beale – due to the relationship they have – is refusing to rule out the prospect of him staying in Glasgow.
Kent splits opinion among Rangers fans at times. His new gaffer though has no doubts about his attitude, character or quality and he’s ready to get the best out of him.
Ahead of Thursday night’s return to Premiership action against Hibs, Beale said: “With Ryan, it’s usually just a look between us.
“I’ll give him a certain look then he gives me a look. We’ve known each other for so long.
“I know his parents and they come to every single game at Ibrox. Can you imagine being his parents at times during games? People have to remember it’s someone’s son out there.
“Ryan and I have always been at complete ease with each other and I have always been a strong guide on his journey. There is an honesty between us. We’ve only spoken on the phone TWO times in 12 years.
“The first was when I rang him to see if he was coming to Rangers. Believe it or not, he said he wasn’t sure if he was good enough.
“Then he phoned me to find out if I was coming back here. I think he did that because he didn’t call when I left!
“Listen, I trust him. Sometimes he wants to do so well here that he does too much. He confuses himself.
“Less is more with Ryan. He has to play with a smile on his face and keep his energy pure.
“With Ryan, I think the other things take care of themselves. He’s one of the best players in this league.”
Kent has a reputation for being a complex character off the pitch. He’s private and keeps his own pet snake.
But Beale insists his passion for Rangers and his desire to succeed at Ibrox should never be questioned. The Gers gaffer said: “Ryan is sensitive. He thinks a lot and cares a lot. That probably comes out sometimes in his body language.
“We had a conversation a few years ago when there was a lot in the media about a club (Leeds United) being after him.
“But he said he didn’t want to leave Rangers until he’d won. So fair play to him.
“They are the background conversations people don’t see. Ryan has been so committed here.
“One or two things have been said about the fee paid for him but he has been here a long time now. He has paid that fee back by being part of a team that has won a league, so many European games, got to a Europa League Final and played in the Champions League.
“The output is the whole pie. And I think he tends to play well in the big games.
“Looking from afar, he was the best player on the park against Dortmund last year. On that night he looked top. This is a player who wasn’t playing at Bristol City before he came to Rangers.
“So there was a lot of work done with Ryan. He is one of the players I came back to Rangers to work with because we have such a good relationship.
“If it’s six months, six years – well, I don’t know how long I’m going to be here! Let’s not worry too much about Ryan, let’s just start winning games.”
Beale knows a happy Kent can help him do that. But until a decision has been made, there will be constant speculation about his next move.
And Beale insists there’s still a chance of him extending his Ibrox deal. He said: “We don’t want anyone here who doesn’t want to be here.
“Now, I think Ryan does want to be here. Everything is looking positive but there has just been a huge change at the club.
“He wants to be part of an exciting Rangers team that are moving in the right direction. So let’s see.
“The important thing is that Ryan looks like he is all in. He looks ready and committed so let’s deal with that initially.
“I just want Ryan to smile. Take people on, have a shot or cross – then just keep doing it.
“I think he has to feel the strength of his coach “I haven’t spoken to him about his relationship with the previous staff here but, with me, he knows he has that.”
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