KENT IS ON FIRE
It is hard to believe the former Liverpool youngster, a £7m capture last summer, came in for some criticism in the 2019/20 campaign for his lack of assists and goals.
The winger has been Rangers form player this season and was their stand-out performer in the Netherlands once again last night. He won the penalty that James Tavernier netted the opened from, netted the second himself and then supplied Filip Helander for the third.
It is little wonder that Premier League new boys Leeds United are so keen to add Kent to their squad. But others may well try to lure him away from Ibrox in the coming days with a lucrative offer. He could play at any level.
For his manager Steven Gerrard, the close of the transfer window on October 5 can’t come quickly enough.
TAVERNIER SILENCES HIS DOUBTERS
The Rangers captain and right back was taken off penalty duty last season after misses against Progres Niederkorn, Feyenoord and Motherwell.
Nobody really convinced in the role and Tavernier stepped forward again last night after Ryan Kent had gone down in the Willem II area following a challenge by Miquel Nelom in the 21st minute.
The visitors had survived a couple of anxious moments before that and there was enormous pressure on the defender to convert. He coped with it admirably and drilled his attempt down the middle as Robbin Ruiter dived to the right.
The Ibrox club area awarded their fair share of spot kicks during the course of the season and the experienced Englishman should retain responsibility going forward.
MCGREGOR STAKES A CLAIM
Have Rangers ever had such fierce competition for the goalkeeper’s berth? Jon McLaughlin has done superbly since joining in the summer and has been preferred domestically. But Allan McGregor showed no rustiness in Europe. Quite the opposite.
He could have done better at a dipping Derrick Kohn shot at 0-0. But it was his only lapse. His save from a Dries Saddiki shot at 2-0 was exceptional and prevented the home team from grabbing a vital lifeline at a crucial stage in proceedings.
Gerrard is delighted to have two first-class keepers in his squad. But he will have a headache every time he selects his starting line-up. McGregor did his cause no harm last night.
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