Ryan Kent points to influential duo after Rangers return

Ryan Kent says Michael Beale and Steven Gerrard were key in his decision to return to Rangers.

Kent’s permanent return to Ibrox looked unlikely after the two clubs’ difference of opinion over the winger’s value. But on Scotland’s transfer deadline day the deal was back on with Rangers eventually agreeing a £7m deal for the Liverpool star.

Explaining his return north of the border, Kent cited former Liverpool men Gerrard and first-team coach Beale.

“After last season I have evolved even more as a player and I think now if I could add that final end product to my game then it is going to be a good season for me and for the team,” Kent told Rangers.co.uk.

“With Steven Gerrard as manager there is a lot of ambition that comes from him, he wants to win things.

“Michael Beale had me as a kid at Liverpool, he got the best out of me then and that is when I really started to believe in my talent as a young boy. I flourished playing under Mick Beale.

“I think this coaching staff are obviously going in the right direction, I think the team have been excellent.

“Watching them has been tough but I have seen how well they have done so far this season and now I want to be back a part of it.

“The team has been strengthened incredibly well, there is a lot of strength and depth and a lot of players in a lot of different positions.

“I have been speaking with the players on a weekly basis and they have been saying the levels in training have improved and you are only going to get the best out of each other with that competition.

“I hoping to come straight back in and make a difference already.”