Gio Van Bronckhorst insists keeping Ryan Kent at Rangers is now top of his wish list after kicking off contract talks with the attacker. The Gers boss is already close to extending deals for captain James Tavernier and striker Alfredo Morelos.
And on the eve of the new Premiership season he revealed Kent is also now in discussions with the club over new terms having moved in to the final year of his current contract. Van Bronckhorst is optimistic his star men will stick around – as the lure of fighting for glory at home and in Europe will be too strong to turn down.
The Ibrox gaffer said: “We know the quality both Morelos and Kent bring to the team. They have been part of the squad for many years now. Ryan’s qualities are on a high level. Talks with him to extend his contrast are also happening at the moment. It’s the same with Alfredo.
“Hopefully they will sign new contracts that will keep them at Ibrox for longer than this season. Both of them love being at this club. They are important players who are loved by everyone involved in the squad and the fans.
“They are more than open to extending. Hopefully we’ll come to a deal. I’m very happy with both, they bring quality to this squad and performances on the pitch.
“Hopefully they can sign new deals soon. The taste they have got in Europe in the last couple of years will have helped them. We are pushing for the Champions League this season and that will help as well.”
Morelos has been named in Rangers’ Champions League squad for the qualifying clashes against Union Saint-Gilloise over the next fortnight. The first leg is likely to come too soon but the Colombian – who has been out for four months – could be in the frame for the return match, while new boy Rabbi Matondo won’t make today’s Premiership opener at Livingston.
New £5m man Ridvan Yilmaz will land this weekend after tying up loose ends in Turkey while Kemar Roofe and Filip Helander are also still out. Van Bronckhorst revealed defender Niko Katic has been told he has not future at Rangers.
On Morelos, the manager said: “He has been doing large parts of the sessions with us and he is looking stronger every day. Hopefully we can have him back in the squad really quickly and get him involved.
“We named him in squad for the first ties of the competition – Tuesday and then a week later – so hopefully he will get involved really soon.
“Rabbi had his first individual session today and looked good. For Livingston, it’s a little short of time so he will be joining the group on Sunday to prepare for Tuesday’s European game.
“Ridvan is travelling to Glasgow. He is clear to play. He has had a normal pre-season with Besiktas so he will join the group on Sunday as well.
“I don’t have any time-frame when Roofe and Helander will be back. I think Kemar will be quicker. He’s on the pitch now so hopefully he will join the sessions in the coming weeks. We still have to assess how Filip will develop in the coming weeks.”
Roofe and Helander remain part of the plans at Rangers but Katic is on his way out – along with others. Van Bronckhorst said: “I spoke with Niko about his future and we agreed that it would be nice for him to get another club and play elsewhere. So his future will not be at Rangers. He has to find a club where he can play and we will help him with that.
“Hopefully he will find a new challenge soon. It’s nice to have a big squad as a coach, but you also have to give players perspective about game time.
“You can only play with 11. You need a big squad for cover and competition, but if you have too many players it’s not good either. The squad will become smaller in the coming weeks.”
