Rangers skipper James Tavernier hails Ryan Kent’s start to the season

Full-back says winger is the main man at Ibrox now that he has added goals to his game
Ryan Kent fires Rangers into the lead against Dundee United. Picture: Ian Rutherford/PARyan Kent fires Rangers into the lead against Dundee United. Picture: Ian Rutherford/PA
Ryan Kent fires Rangers into the lead against Dundee United. Picture: Ian Rutherford/PA

In Steven Gerrard’s own words, “anything can still happen” in terms of both arrivals and departures at Rangers in the remaining three weeks of the transfer window.

But whatever business the Ibrox club conducts before midnight on 5 October, it is increasingly clear that the retention of Ryan Kent’s services has to be their No 1 priority.

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The Premiership’s Player of the Month for August began Rangers’ September programme of fixtures in equally impressive and influential fashion on Saturday, providing the attacking flair which complemented the defensive dependability of Gerrard’s team.

James Tavernier, left, and Kemar Roofe were both on target in the 4-0 victory. Picture: Alan Harvey/SNSJames Tavernier, left, and Kemar Roofe were both on target in the 4-0 victory. Picture: Alan Harvey/SNS
James Tavernier, left, and Kemar Roofe were both on target in the 4-0 victory. Picture: Alan Harvey/SNS

Kent’s fourth goal of the season, delightfully crafted and finished, set Rangers on their way to the comprehensive defeat of Dundee United which kept them top of the league table and set a new all-time Scottish record of seven consecutive clean sheets at the start of a top flight league campaign.

In rejecting a £10 million bid for Kent from Leeds United last month, Rangers underlined just how crucial they believe the 23-year-old winger is to their prospects of dethroning champions Celtic this season. He is a player now bringing consistency to all aspects of his play, the value 
of which is recognised by Rangers captain James Tavernier.

“Ryan’s been terrific for us with his goal contributions and was rightly named Player of the Month,” he said.

“He’s coming up with the goals now and that’s the one area where we wanted him to get better. He gets in those attacking positions and we want him to be on the score sheet, want him to get assists.

“He’s doing that now and he’s been a real asset for us. I thought he maybe could have got a hat-trick against United but I’m delighted with how he’s playing and progressing.”

Tavernier himself looks to have rediscovered his best form, having endured some sticky periods last season which attracted criticism from the Rangers support.

The full-back adorned his 250th appearance for the club by putting them 2-0 up before half-time against United, adding to impressive stats which have now seen him contribute 48 goals and 77 assists since his arrival from Wigan Athletic five years ago.

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“I was delighted to get on the score sheet,” added Tavernier. “But, first and foremost, I’m delighted for the team, the club and all the players for achieving another clean sheet. To break that record was one of the first and foremost things we said we wanted to do. There were a couple of moments when Dundee United had chances. But they didn’t go in the back of the net and we’re just so delighted to get that record.

“Personally, I’m still growing and still learning. The coaches and the staff give me every backing that I need to fulfil my potential and be the best I can possibly be.

“And I’ve got help from all the boys in the team to do that. With the squad we have, we’ve got a really good group of players. I’m really excited about what this season might bring – and that’s credit to the whole team, as well as the management staff, for the way I’m playing.”

Victory never looked in doubt for Rangers on Saturday, even throughout an ill-starred run of injury interruptions which saw them lose Leon Balogun, Ryan Jack, Brandon Barker
and Alfredo Morelos at various 
stages of the afternoon.

“It didn’t disrupt us too much and that’s credit to the gaffer and the board, the whole recruitment team, because of the depth of squad we have,” said Tavernier.

“We lost Leon in the warm-up, Fil Helander comes straight in and knows the role. And we can put George Edmundson on the bench, another terrific player. Obviously we lose Jacko, Brandon and then Alfredo, but then we’ve got players like Glen Kamara and Scott Arfield who can come in. We’ve got that strength throughout the team and everyone knows their role. So it’s never a sticky moment when someone comes in and is asked to do a job.”

Kemar Roofe’s second goal for Rangers and a late strike from Arfield sealed the win for Rangers in the 
second half of what was another chastening experience for Micky Mellon’s United who suffered a second consecutive 4-0 defeat after their previous outing at Kilmarnock.

“It is all a learning process for us,” said United midfielder Peter Pawlett as he reflected on the Tannadice club’s start to their first season back in the top flight for four years.

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“If you lose 4-0, of course there will be words said and the manager spoke to us afterwards. But he’s not one of those who come in screaming and shouting, it wasn’t like that.

“It was all about the need for improvement. That’s what he tries to do, bring us on as a squad.

“I would say that apart from the last two results, we have started the season well. But those have been two difficult defeats to take. We have to move on and our next couple of games [at home to St Mirren and away to Hamilton] are maybe opportunities to get points on the board. We have to be positive about that.”

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