RYAN KENT is determined to boost his figures in the final third after finally getting his name on the scoresheet for Rangers.

The winger netted his first Light Blues goal in the 4-0 win over Dundee on Saturday as Steven Gerrard’s side eased to an important Premiership victory.

The strike has been a long time coming for Kent as he has become frustrated with the attacking impact he has been able to have for the Gers at times this term.

But a heart-to-heart with boss Gerrard has eased his fears and given him fresh belief as he looks to go from strength to strength at Ibrox.

Kent said: “It was an amazing feeling to finally get my first goal for Rangers. It meant a lot to me.

“It’s been quite a while since I scored a goal. I have been knocking on the door recently and now I’ve broken through.

“Hopefully, I can now push on and get some more goals. I enjoyed the goal. It was good link up with Scott.

“Stats are such a big thing in football now. Everybody looks at them and relates them to your performance.

“But, the manager took me into his office during the week and told me not to worry about them.

“He told me to relax in front of goal and it would come. Thankfully it did which is a blessing.

“It was reassuring to speak with him. When you have a manager willing to put you in the team when you are not putting numbers forward in terms of goals and assists then it is a big boost when he still backs you.

“I was getting frustrated because people kept saying I needed to score goals.

“I think I have been unlucky up until now so I have been working really hard on the training ground.

“I have been trying to compose myself in front of goal and that paid dividends.”

Kent has quickly become an integral part of Gerrard’s plans after making the loan switch from Liverpool this summer.

His next action will come in the Europa League as Rangers prepare for a tough test against Villarreal on Thursday night.

And the Anfield kid is confident Gerrard’s side can equip themselves well on the continent after progressing through four qualifying rounds to reach the group stages.

Kent said: “First of all, as a young player, Europe is the biggest stage you want to be playing on. It is massive. Not just for me but for everyone in the team.

“The biggest thing about the Dundee match was to bounce back from the last game and get the result. I think we will go over there with confidence and enjoy the game.

“After full-time on Saturday, everyone agreed that we could be have been better. Going into Thursday’s game, our performances have proved that we deserve a place in the group stage so we will go there with full confidence.

“We want to enjoy the moment as well. It is a big occasion for everyone associated with the club to be back at this stage of European competition and it will be a first for me as well.

“The way the gaffer treats everyone means everyone wants to go out and give 110 per cent for him. That is both individually and collectively.

“We will take it one game at a time and see how we are doing. But obviously we want to progress. We are in the competition so I don’t see why we can’t progress.”