Rangers were handed a massive blow as they suffered a derby defeat against Celtic at Ibrox. In fact, it was Gerrad’s first derby defeat at home, and it probably came at the least expected time as the Gers were being built as the heavy favourites for this clash. Celtic were going through an injury crisis, and they even missed out on Champions League qualification which was a set back for them.
Rangers though were soon able to overturn the gloomy mood of the supporters as they signed Ryan Kent on the last day of the transfer window. The move almost came out of nowhere as Gerrard had insisted on numerous occasions that a permanent move for the winger was not possible for them and Liverpool would have to send him away on loan for the Gers to get their man.
Mark Allen on how and why they signed Kent?
However, the Bears opened the vault and Kent was signed for £7m on a four-year deal. Many claimed that this was a sign of panic from Rangers and they might have pushed through with this move after suffering a defeat against Celtic. However, the club’s Director Of Football Mark Allen denied that and said (The Express), ”No (On whether their lacklustre display against Celtic was the reason for going after Kent). We had a board meeting the prior Saturday before which myself and Steven (Gerrard) attended.”
”We went through the whole squad then in terms of what our targets were in the summer and where we’d got to with those targets, which was quite successful. The only one who we hadn’t got was Ryan, but it certainly wasn’t a reaction to the game.”
Allen also pointed out that getting into the Europa League main draws was a big reason as well. He added, ”I think European qualification helped significantly, I think the directors looked at that. We made no secrets of the fact that Ryan was a target; he was a target all summer.”
Reports from the Express earlier conveyed that Rangers will make around £10m after making it to the Europa league main draws and it seems like they have invested a significant amount of those funds on Kent.
What next for Gerrard?
Rangers now will need to start well after the international break as they have fallen behind Celtic by three points. Gerrard’s men cannot afford to lose touch of Celtic so early on in the season. Kent will have a huge role to play, and he will be under some pressure to deliver the results. Rangers will hope that he can hit the ground running once the international break gets over.
