In a display that almost sums up our entire season, Rangers went from insipid to inspired in a game that was very much, one of two halves.
Front and centre to the revival was Ryan Kent, the much-maligned winger who is under increasing pressure for his lack of product in front of goal for a player paid handsomely to provide either moments of individual brilliance or to kill teams off.
With the 25-year old (26 tomorrow) out of contract in the summer, it’s easy for him to be a scapegoat but at this stage of his career, he should be more consistent in terms of the numbers he is producing and his performances.
In the first half he was slowing down attacks when we were on the front foot or cutting inside into Hearts players, the player that emerged from the tunnel for the second half was entirely different though and one we shod see more often, especially if we are to have any chance at all of closing the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
🎙️ Man of the Match Ryan Kent spoke to @RangersTV after tonight’s victory against Hearts. pic.twitter.com/zWxM1lOayE
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) November 9, 2022
Speaking to Rangers TV after the game, Kent, who was instrumental in the build-up to Malik Tillman’s goal, explained that getting the result was all that mattered after a troubling few weeks:
“The boys put a shift in. We had to correct the result from the weekend. Everyone was really disappointed and we knew how important it was to win tonight. We have to keep going that way now.
“I was happy enough with my performance and I felt I was dangerous in the game. The boys played really well behind me in order to get the ball to me in good areas. On any other day we could have scored more but the most important thing is the three points.
“We take the positives into the weekend before the break. It’s key we get the three points, use that momentum and regroup after the break.”
The only question I continue to have with this team is – why can’t they play like that from the start and maintain it for 90 minutes?
It was better but, even if he displays more of the same for the rest of the season it might be too little, too late.