Rangers may well have just been dealt a blow in the pursuit of fan favourite and Liverpool loanee Ryan Kent.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool Academy Director Alex Ingelthorpe commented on the wideman’s progress at Ibrox. He was also discussing the progress of on-loan Derby winger Harry Wilson.
And despite huge competition at Anfield, he suggests there might be a route to the Anfield first team for both players after all.
“Steven is really pleased with him,” said Inglethorpe.
“It’s a slightly different sort of loan for Ryan. His previous loans have been with clubs who have been the underdogs or who have found it harder to get wins.
“Now he’s playing at Ibrox in front of 50,000 passionate Rangers fans and that presents a different challenge.
“I’m not suggesting they are going to be automatic first-team players but it looks like they are at least warranting an audition at some stage. They have done themselves no harm.”
Ryan Kent clearly impressing Liverpool backroom staff
Whilst Ingelthorpe reiterated they wouldn’t walk into the first team, he is suggesting they could get a shot. If that is the case, it could be a major blow for Rangers fans who are determined to see the 22-year old tied down at Ibrox.
It isn’t surprising either. Ryan Kent has grabbed his opportunity at Ibrox with both hands. That’s in stark contrast to another Liverpool loanee who left Ibrox earlier in the season.
He is now a key part of the Rangers side and continued his good form with a goal against Livingston at the weekend. Club insider Four Lads Had a Dream suggested Rangers were in “formal talks” with Liverpool over the winger esrlier in the season.
What’s more, Kent himself told the Evening Times he was loving life at Ibrox. But will he stay at Ibrox full time?
It now seems as though that decision will rest with the Liverpool hierarchy. They clearly consider Kent a potential squad player at Anfield in the not-so-distant future.
Where does that leave Rangers? Not completely out of the running. Perhaps we should be looking to tie him down for another year on loan instead?
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