As Rangers prepare to face off against RB Leipzig, much of the club’s hopes will hang on the performance of winger Ryan Kent.
Whilst domestically Ryan Kent has maybe not delivered consistently enough, in the Europa League this season the attacker has been a big part of how the club have managed to reach this stage.
Now in the semi-finals, and especially amid injuries to several other key stars, the onus is on the £7m ex-Liverpool man to make an impression in Germany.
For the first leg at least, Rangers will be without Kemar Roofe and Aaron Ramsey, two match-winning footballers.
Beyond that, Mr Europa League Alfredo Morelos is out for the season and is joined by Romanian playmaker Ianis Hagi and Swedish defender Filip Helander.
In a perfect world, all five players would’ve played a part and all five are high-earning key performers for the first team.
Attention turns to who starts up front with Fashion Sakala the favourite, but could Ryan Kent be asked to fulfil something of a different role against RB Leipzig tonight?
How do Rangers use Ryan Kent v RB Leipzig?
The tricky winger is a creative spark and can play with his back to goal, running in behind or in facing up defenders.
Of all the attackers available in the team, there is probably no-one better suited or versatile enough to play in that central attacking role.
There are plenty of murmurs regarding Ryan Kent and a so-called “false 9” but for us it’s not an entirely terrible idea.
Fashion Sakala – the most natural striker of the bunch – has shown his best qualities driving at defenders and coming from the left.
However, on that left what Ryan Kent gives you in work rate is hard to replace and there are doubts Fashion Sakala can offer the same.
Rangers generally rotate their front three in game but we something tells us that Ryan Kent – somewhat symbolic to his influence in the game – will be employed as the main man.
This stage is where heroes are made and whilst Ryan Kent has taken plenty of ankles on our run to the final, if we’re to get a positive result against RB Leipzig then much of it will surely be down to his contribution.
Here’s how we’re backing Rangers to line up against RB Leipzig.
