“He wants to stay” – Hutton backs Kent to extend Rangers contract

Michael Beale is going to have to get used to fielding questions about the current state of play with negotiations regarding Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent and the chances of them signing new deals, however, after seeing off Raith Rovers at the weekend, it’s pretty clear that the former is the one that he really wants to retain – if he had a choice.

The 26-year winger has been linked with Premier League hopefuls Burnley and Leeds United who could be passing them on the way down, hardly the sort of options that you would expect for a player named in last season’s Europa League team of the season.

Speaking to Football Insider, Alan Hutton doesn’t think that these are the clubs that would tempt Kent to move when asked if he would be tempted:

“I would not if it was me.

“I can only talk from my point of view and when I left Rangers I would not have wanted to leave playing in the Champions League or European competitions to go to a team in the Championship.

“That is no disrespect to that league, it is just sometimes the grass is not always greener.

“I have got a feeling that he wants to stay. I think he can do good things at Rangers. Your head would only turn if it was a good option for you and I do not see the Championship as being that.“

For the two clubs named, I genuinely don’t think Rangers or their fans need to be worried. Burnely are notoriously tight when it comes to wages with Ashley Barnes only just earning more than Connor Goldson as our top earner which, I would imagine is the sort of wage that Kent would be looking for as a player whose name is one of the first on the team sheet.

As for Leeds, Hutton is right, why would you leave Rangers to play in the Championship unless you were a fringe player or not guaranteed the minutes that Kent is?

Beale revealed that he is due to sit down with Kent during the international break and I would be surprised if there isn’t a positive outcome.