Kieran Maguire

Fri 5 February 2021 18:00, UK

Rising stars Kai Kennedy and Nathan Patterson both penned new Rangers contracts in January — a clear indication that the club is in robust health.

That is according to finance expert and new Football Insider columnist Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively after the two youngsters signed deals in January keeping them at Ibrox until 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Highly-rated winger Kennedy, 18, has made one substitute appearance for Rangers and was sent out on loan to Raith Rovers after signing his new deal.

Patterson meanwhile has played six times for Steven Gerrard’s side and will remain at the club as backup for Jame Tavernier at right-back.

In terms of contract renewals, Maguire thinks Rangers are right to strike while the iron is hot, with the club in such a positive position at the moment.

“From the player’s point of view, they’ll be focusing on a variety of things,” he told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams.

“First of all, security of employment. The longer the contract, the better it is for them.

“Secondly, is the manager making them a better player? That answer to that is pretty evident in terms of results.

“It gives them protection and it gives the club protection as well. It makes it harder for clubs in other countries to come and get them. Because let’s be honest, nobody in Scotland is going to sign them because they won’t be able to afford them. And they’re not going to go to Celtic…

“It’s a case of keeping English clubs away, and this will make it more difficult. It’s a reward for their efforts to date and it’s a signal that the club wants to keep hold of its assets.”

Rangers are 23 points of arch-rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership and into the knockout rounds of the Europa League.

Their overall financial picture is good too, with revenue up 11% on the previous financial year despite the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

In other news, a top pundit has said he is blown away by Rangers January pre-contract signings.