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Ryan Kent tipped for Rangers axe as Hutton suggests real reason for poor stats
Alan Hutton believes Ryan Kent may be growing frustrated with playing as a number 10 for Rangers and may be dropped in the coming weeks.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hutton suggested that Kent needs to be deployed further wide if Steven Gerrard is to get the best out of him.
Kent has only picked up one goal and two assists in his last six Scottish Premiership outings which will be a concern for Gerrard with vital Europa League matches on the horizon.
The 24-year-old has been asked to step up in recent games with Alfredo Morelos serving a three-game ban but the Englishman failed to have much of an impact against St Johnstone or Hamilton.
When asked about Kent’s disappointing recent stats, Hutton told Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge: “Stats don’t lie. I don’t think about them too much but I remember him in one of his interviews and that’s what he’s talking about. That’s what he wanted to improve.
“His numbers. They’re [Rangers] playing a little bit different I think with almost two number 10s so he’s more inside, does that suit him?
“I’m not so sure. I think he’s the type of guy that wants to be out wide and cutting in from that position and making things happen.
“He’s not that player, like Roofe, who likes getting the ball with his back to play and turning.
“I think he likes to be on the move and he tends to be a little bit wider but it could be down to a lot of things, he does look a little bit frustrated. It’s been a long tough season.
“I know it’s the same for everybody but there’s a lot of pressure on him. He’s come from a big fee and everybody expects him to be the best week in, week out no matter what.
“So it’ll be something he’ll look to improve on, his numbers. Whether in the coming weeks, we’ll see a little bit of rotation, him out and then back in.
“Maybe that could work in his favour but I mean obviously, with a European game coming up Gerrard will want one of his star players to be playing.”
With Kemar Roofe also due to miss this weekend’s game against Kilmarnock, Kent will have to provide an attacking contribution with two of the Gers’ most prolific forwards unavailable for selection.
Kent has made 37 appearances for Rangers this season, which have yielded seven goals and 11 assists.
In other news, Hutton has revealed everyone at Rangers is saying the same thing about Scott Wright in training.