Chris Sutton reckons Ryan Kent's move to Rangers reeks of "pure desperation" from the Ibrox club.

Ex-Celtic star Sutton watched as Gers splashed the cash on their former loan star in a bid to wrestle the Scottish Premiership title from their rivals.

The Englishman is not convinced, however, that Kent was always number one priority target for the Light Blues.

Rangers did not push panic button to sign Ryan Kent in reaction to Celtic defeat, claims Mark Allen

And, despite accepting the former Liverpool winger has talent to add to the Rangers squad, Sutton questioned whether or not last weekend's Old Firm defeat had any bearing in the decision to sign Kent.

Speaking in his Daily Record column Sutton said: "If Rangers signing the winger from Liverpool wasn’t down to sheer panic in the wake of the defeat to Celtic last Sunday, then I don’t know what is.

"Kent is a good player. I even suggested at the end of last season that Celtic should try to get him to boost the squad.

"But it seems that, in the eyes of the Rangers supporters, Kent’s signing is a game changer. 

"The last-ditch transfer window strike which is going to tilt the title odds back in their favour.

"At best, that is optimistic. At worst, it’s bordering on hysterical.

"I’m also doubting the strategy which brought the signing about. Rangers, of course, will tell you he was always the one they wanted. 

"That’s what clubs say. You can’t blame them. They have to dress it up.

Audience with Chris Sutton to take place in Malones Glasgow

"But if Kent was the one they were always going to get, why sign Jordan Jones? Why sign Sheyo Ojo? Why sign Jake Hastie? Why sign Greg Stewart?

"I’m more inclined to think the situation changed dramatically in the wake of the loss to Celtic last Sunday and it was a big outlay designed to appease fans who had just had their hope ripped away.

"Let me put this another way. If Rangers had thumped Celtic 3-0, do you think Kent would have been signed the following day? I might be wrong, but I don’t.

"It doesn’t add up. It looks like a final throw of the dice. And an act of desperation from Rangers."