Ryan Kent was involved in one of the videos of an early Rangers training session under former boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst. It saw the Dutchman’s first team coach Roy Makaay having words with the winger and it didn’t come across as entirely complimentary.
“Keep it simple, tricks are for the circus,” said the legendary striker. That quote was lapped up by supporters as they sensed a no-nonsense approach that could see Kent benefit after the departure of Steven Gerrard who had played such a key role in his time at Ibrox due to their Liverpool connection. But it never transpired and by the end of Van Bronckhorst’s time Kent - who missed that glorious late extra time chance to seal the Europa League against Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville - was, along with Alfredo Morelos, arguably the player who had seen the biggest decline in his game.
So it was interesting to see that in a short clip of the second day of training posted by the club that Kent was again at the centre of it - but this time the 26-year-old looked to be back to his old self. And, interestingly, it was Morelos who was involved in the move that saw him despatch a fine training ground strike.
With new boss Beale at the centre of the Auchenhowie training pitch, Kent plays a series of one-twos with the final ball from Morelos before he lashes the ball into the top corner to roars of approval from coaches and team-mates with a roar of "Right there, that's it".
Kent has been a shadow of the player who played such a key role in winning the title in 2021 and has been bracketed with Morelos given they are both in the final six months of their Ibrox deals. It remains to be seen whether Beale’s arrival will help them recapture their best or extend their stay in Govan beyond this season but it’s unlikely to do the pair any harm. Along with the criticism of the pair, van Bronckhorst’s football in general was dismissed as too slow.
If the below clip if anything to go by, Beale’s style is crisper, faster – more direct. Not that we should be surprised as that’s the way the team played under Gerrard and Beale before their exit to Aston Villa.
Rangers legend Stuart McCall, in a recent Record Sport interview, urged Kent and Morelos to go out with a bang if it was to be their final six months. He said: “We could do with them finding their real form when the season restarts - the Alfredo of 12-18 months ago; the Kent of last season and year before. So, as a player, what do you want to do? Get that old form back - or just let your time at Rangers to fritter away?”
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