It’s amazing how much better a player becomes when they aren’t available.
Take Niko Katic, for example. When Filip Helander got injured and we had Jack Simpson and Calvin Bassey alongside Connor Goldson, the Croatian turned into Carlos Puyol.
In the case of Ryan Kent though, we already know how good a player he is, it’s just a case of hoping that he comes back from his latest hamstring injury fully fit and not the shadow of a player we have seen since pre-season.
He has never looked 100%, returning after the summer break unable to take part in training and he has been playing within himself ever since, rarely putting the afterburners on that make him a nightmare for defenders.
When Steven Gerrard announced this week that he could be back in contention for the St Mirren game at the weekend, needless to say it perks up the spirits of those of a Light Blue persuasion, who took to social media to show their delight:
Ryan Kent ready for St Mirren pic.twitter.com/XGqN2y1fL2
— Grant (@Grantmckay01) October 20, 2021
Ryan Kent being back for St. Mirren makes me buzzing, he was off the boil at the start of the season but if he can find top form, it is a game changer to how we play. Let’s go 💙 https://t.co/7EeeMwIa6U
— Emma McNee (@EMC1992_) October 20, 2021
Well, thats tremendous news. Really hope we make sure Kent is fully fit before bringing him back, we need him back to his best so can’t be rushing him.
— Facele55 👤 (@FacelessRanger) October 20, 2021
Fantastic news on Kent. Scott Wright isn’t up to starting week in week out but is an excellent impact sub.
— M.H. (@RANGERS_1983) October 20, 2021
Has there ever been such a joyous tweet 🤗
— Chris McLaughlin (@ChrisMcL16) October 20, 2021
This is massive! Like buying 2 top quality players.
— El Bow (@Cway47) October 20, 2021
Having Kent and Ryan Jack back in the squad will be a huge lift but when our problems have been in the final third, having Kent back to his best could be the catalyst to kick start our season, the break will, hopefully, have done him good because he was starting to look frustrated that he wasn’t scoring goals – now would be a good time to start.