Rangers could ask Ryan Kent to fight for a return to the club by offering him a chance to train at Auchehowie.
That is the view of Tam McManus after boss Philippe Clement confessed to being an admirer of the winger, who has seen his big-money contract at Fenerbahce ripped up just 16 months after leaving the Scottish Premiership behind. The Belgian admitted he made a move for the Liverpool academy graduate before he permanently sealed a switch to the Light Blues while he was in charge at Club Brugge – and he now has a chance to snap up the Englishman after his time in Turkey was brought to an abrupt halt.
Kent failed to get going during his time in Istanbul and Jose Mourinho decided it was time up for the 27-year-old having handed the £45,179-a-week misfit just one appearance since stepping into the Fener hot seat. And former Hibs man McManus reckons he may have to battle to catch Clement’s eye for a second time – as well as winning over the Rangers support.
McManus told PLZ: “I think there would be a split (among the fans). I think initially he had a fantastic spell scoring big goals against Celtic at Parkhead. The last season at Rangers he was really, really poor.
“He looked as if his head was elsewhere and a lot of fans turned on him because I don’t think he was putting in the effort and the performance he was previously. So, I think there will be fans thinking ‘he is better than what we have got’ – which I think is correct – and a lot of fans will think ‘nah’ because they have seen him during the last year of his contract.
“Listen, there is no harm in asking him if he wants to come in and train, if he is more than willing to train and you can have a look at him or whatever and to keep himself ticking over. Do I think he’s better than what they’ve got? Probably yes, but I don’t think the majority of Rangers fans would want him back”
Should Kent get the chance of a de facto trial at his former side, he would have until at least January to convince Clement it is a worthwhile venture. FIFA rules state that clubs can sign players who without a club outside of the windows, but must wait until the next registration period to play. Therefore, Kent has until at least January to wait before he can run out for another side.
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