Rangers got a glimpse of life without Ryan Kent at the weekend. For the first time since Michael Beale returned as manager - 22 games ago - the Englishman wasn’t involved as the Ibrox side eventually accelerated to a 5-2 win over St Mirren.
It might only have been injury which deprived the wide man of keeping up his 100 per cent starting record in league games under Beale. But it’s looking increasingly likely to become the norm as the man who arrived with the X Factor five years ago heads towards becoming the EX factor with his contract into its final couple of months.
Will he be missed? The stats - particularly in the big games where it matters - suggest not. Ten assists and three goals from 43 appearances might be okay for a forward outside the Old Firm. But Rangers, whose only goal next season is to reel in Celtic, need better. Kent failed to produce when the Hoops were off their game last week and that said it all. Like it or not the Parkhead side have set the standard Rangers’ forwards must strive to hit. Where the men in similar positions for Celtic are hitting levels of Jota - 13 goals and 11 assists from 37 games - and Liel Abada - who has scored 12 and laid on seven in 41 appearances - that’s what is needed at Ibrox.
Beale’s January recruitment has added class, energy and some proper creativity to his middle ground with Todd Cantwell and Nico Raskin looking certs to become regulars going forward. Cantwell’s contribution against the Buddies was top drawer - a well executed goal, a glancing header assist and a classy no-look pass as the penultimate touch in an impressive 60-pass move for the fifth.
But the wide attacking areas are in need of a similar upgrade to provide the all-important variety to their threats. Kent’s rare absence meant Saturday’s Saints showdown was a massive opportunity for those who have been stuck in his shadow at Ibrox to stake their claim.
Fashion Sakala might have better numbers than Kent - eight goals and eight assists after adding one to each column against Saints. But the Zambian with all the pace but not so much grace hasn’t shown he can be trusted to produce week in and week out.
Rabbi Matondo climbed off the bench for his first appearance since December and tore away on the left flank to provide goal number four. It was a fifth assist of the campaign for the £2.5m summer acquisition but nobody can tell if he has the quality to start producing regularly.
Malik Tillman is one who does have the numbers to back up the clamour for Rangers to shell out and sign him in the summer. Twelve goals and five assists from 41 appearances is decent. But once again on Saturday the German’s lack of defensive hunger or awareness was alarming as Mark O’Hara struck his first sensational equaliser.
That leaves Ianis Hagi. Slowly working his way back to fitness after a year on the treatment table. The Romanian provided eight goals and 15 assists from 43 games in his last full season. And he, like Tillman, has the magic in his feet that undoubtedly could replace Kent. Crucially though he lacks his explosive pace.
Beale knows he has a busy summer ahead. If his go-to man Kent does depart then that produces another hole to fill because there’s no obvious replacement inside Ibrox right now.
It’ll be a £7million hit but the costly mistake was made when Rangers failed to cash in two summers ago. Moving forward this could be a blessing for Beale as he looks to freshen up.
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