When it comes to Ryan Kent on European qualification, don’t tell him Rangers should learn from the experience.
Indeed, the on-loan Liverpool winger has his sets sight high in his first season in Europe. Much of Steven Gerrard’s Rangers squad will be plying their trades on the continent for the first time this season.
A tough route into the competition in the first-place saw the club reach their minimum goal of qualifying. Now that they’re there, many believe it’s important to learn from it and think of anything as a bonus.
Kent doesn’t believe that’s the right mentality, however, particularly at a club the size of Rangers.
Speaking in the Scottish Sun, Kent claimed Rangers’ squad are full of belief that they can shock the La Liga giants on their own patch.
“We will take it one game at a time, but we want to progress to the next stage obviously. We are in the competition so I don’t see why we can’t progress.
“We worked so hard to make the groups so we want to enjoy the moment too. It is a big occasion for everyone associated with Rangers to be back at this stage of Euro competition.
“Going into Thursday’s game, our performances have proved we deserve a place in the group stage, so we will go there full of confidence now.”
Kent’s on the money
Kent makes a terrific point in that Rangers are in the competition on merit. The Ibrox side had to come through four different rounds, and knocked out the likes of Maribor and Osijek en route.
Despite it being the first match for most of these players in European competition, there may never be a better time to face Villarreal. Coming off the back of their first win of the season, the Spaniards have something of an injury crisis.
Rangers, of course, have their own problems with injuries. Ryan Jack, Gareth McAuley, and Graham Dorrans are all out. Alfredo Morelos is suspended, whilst Ovie Ejaria remains a doubt.
One of the biggest concerns for Rangers fans, however, would’ve been how much fear the players have. Are they dreading facing a side of Villarreal’s undoubted quality? Are they looking to just make up the numbers and see what happens?
Evidently not. If Kent’s comments are anything to go by, Rangers see Villarreal as a target on Thursday night.
Of course it all could blow up in Rangers’ faces. Villarreal could have a level of quality we’ve not yet seen from this season and prove to be too good.
This Rangers squad, however, just feels like they’ll compete no matter who they’re up against. It’ll be a terrific barometer of progress on Thursday night, and excitement levels are continuing to rise.
