Rangers fans heaped praise on winger Ryan Kent for his electric display against Hearts in the League Cup semi-final on Sunday.
The Gers proved far too strong for the Edinburgh outfit, with a goal from centre-back Filip Helander and a brace from Alfredo Morelos securing a 3-0 win.
There were a number of strong performances across the pitch, but Kent, in particular, was mesmeric at times.
Kent was back to his free-flowing best for the first time since signing from Liverpool. (Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The 22-year-old signed from Liverpool for a reported £7.5 million on deadline day [Sky Sports], but injury has disrupted his return to Ibrox. This was just his third start of the season and comfortably his best performance to date.
During what was largely a frustrating first half for the Gers, he was the player trying everything to break the deadlock.
He looked to take defenders on in wide channels and drifted inside on occasion, sniffing for opportunities. With 40 minutes on the clock, he jinked past two Hearts defenders before striking the post with a fizzing effort from the edge of the area.
In the second half, as the game opened up, he became even more influential, with his tangible contribution coming on the hour mark.
He took on young Jambos full-back Aaron Hickey and turned him inside out before calmly picking out Alfredo Morelos, who slammed home the third goal, killing off the contest.
👏 A superb run from @ryankent who drives forward and perfectly picks out @morelos2106, the Buffalo does the rest | 3-0 pic.twitter.com/4zUAPOIDyJ
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) November 3, 2019
Moments of brilliance like that are exactly why the club forked out so much to bring him in on a permanent contract.
Immediately after the goal, a chorus of “Kent will tear you apart” rang around the national stadium and he was given a massive ovation when substituted after 65 minutes.
Fans waxed lyrical about the wide man on social media, too.
Here’s a selection of reactions from Twitter:
I’ll tell you one thing, we get Ryan Kent 100% fit and a consistent run in this team and he will be worth every single penny of the £7m we paid. He looked unplayable at times today, can tell he loves it in a Rangers jersey.
— Kirsten (@kirsten93_) November 3, 2019
Ryan Kent has been excellent in that 1st half, he is so good at beating his man.
— Rangers Bantz (@RangersBanter17) November 3, 2019
Ryan Kent’s ours btw.
Still can’t believe it.
— Chris McLaughlin (@Chr1sMcLaughlin) November 3, 2019
And he’s not even fully fit atm 👀 what a player.
— Ian Mckitterick (@IanMckitterick) November 3, 2019
His touch and movement is sensational… and he’s only going to get fitter and better. 👌🏻
— Am55terdamer Van 1872 🇨🇮🇬🇧🇳🇱 (@arthur_mac74) November 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/Pena_Cartel/status/1191027796279222272
A thought Ryan Kent was brilliant today 🙌🏻
— Jamba (@JambaWATP21) November 3, 2019
@ryankent once fully fit is going to be unstoppable. It’ll make £7m lol like buttons..🔥🔥🔥
— Scott® (@SMRchamps55) November 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/Mark_Morrison10/status/1191043069661069312
What a difference Ryan Kent makes every time he gets the ball you expect him to make something out of nothing
— Bradley 🇬🇧 (@RfcBradley) November 3, 2019
Ryan Kent was different gravy the day what a baller
— Dean Clark (@DeanCRFC) November 3, 2019
While you’re here, why not check out our Player Ratings from today’s game.