Rangers appear set to treat the upcoming January transfer window as a crucial moment to bolster their squad and mount a genuine challenge in the latter half of the Scottish Premiership campaign.
Danny Rohl’s side welcome Livingston to Ibrox on Saturday, November 22, with confidence beginning to rebuild after back-to-back league victories helped lift the club into fourth place.
Although Hearts currently sit 12 points clear and remain strong favourites in the title race, Rangers still have plenty to fight for. Celtic, in second place, are only five points ahead, leaving the door open for the Light Blues to finish above their rivals if they strengthen wisely in the new year.
One player who could be central to that ambition is Ryan Kent, who is now available on a free transfer after his contract expired at MLS club Seattle Sounders. If Rangers are serious about reigniting their season, an impactful January recruitment drive is essential, and Kent may be high on Rohl’s wish list. The winger, now 29, chose not to extend his previous deal at Ibrox when it ended in June 2023 and instead moved abroad—where he endured a difficult spell at Fenerbahce before heading to Major League Soccer.
Kent’s mixed fortunes after leaving Scotland contrast sharply with the success he enjoyed under Steven Gerrard during his time with Rangers. While he struggled to fit into Michael Beale’s system prior to his departure, Kent had been a standout performer during Gerrard’s tenure. Over five seasons at Ibrox, he became a beloved figure among supporters and delivered consistently strong numbers. The winger was a vital part of Gerrard’s 2020/21 title-winning squad, contributing 16 goals and assists that season alone. In total, Kent produced 28 goals and 32 assists under Gerrard, making him the fifth most-used player of the former Rangers manager’s career.
Gerrard was always vocal about Kent’s importance to the team. After an electrifying performance against Willem II in September 2020, the former Liverpool captain described him as a true “game-changer.” He praised Kent’s pace, ability to run in behind defences, and the added attacking layer he brought to the side that season. Gerrard highlighted Kent’s role in winning a penalty that unlocked the game and called him a constant threat who had expanded his skill set. He added that coaching Kent was a pleasure and that the winger’s drive to improve his numbers made him invaluable.
With Kent now on the market once more, Rangers may view this as the perfect opportunity to reconnect with a player who thrived in Glasgow and could reignite their season. If Rohl can bring Kent back to Ibrox, it may prove one of the most influential moves of the January window.
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