Barry Ferguson’s expresses ‘surprise’ at Mark Allen’s departure from Rangers & Ryan Kent’s selection

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Ryan Kent’s return to Ibrox was shortlived because he suffered an injury during Rangers’ 3-1 win over Livingston on Saturday.

Barry Ferguson has admitted that he was surprised that Mark Allen left his director of football role at Rangers, as he also expressed the same thoughts towards Ryan Kent starting at the weekend.

Last Friday, Allen, who had just been in his role for over two years, left Ibrox for ‘family reasons’ and ‘other options’, as reported by BBC Sport.

Then on Saturday, Kent’s return to Glasgow was shortlived because he had to hobble off injured as his side went on to secure all three points against Livingston.

Speaking to PLZ Soccer (16/09/2019), Ferguson shared his thoughts on the two recent matters and stated that he can understand why Steven Gerrard was so eager to retain Kent back into the starting fold.

On Allen: “Firstly, it was a surprise that he left his job for family reasons,” Ferguson told PLZ Soccer. “But I think it has been quite positive [his tenure], of course bringing in the manager, who is, of course, a massive name in football.

“And then bringing in some quality players as well. So, I think during his two years he has done a fine job.”

On Kent: “I was actually surprised he [Steven Gerrard] actually started with him because he has not played a lot of football Ryan Kent. But I can imagine the manager would have been desperate just to get him out there. But I don’t know how long he is going to be missing. If it’s four or six weeks, hamstring injuries are a sore one.”

Gerrard has shared that Kent is set to miss ‘at least a few weeks’ because of that hamstring injury he picked up, which is a blow for both player and club, as quoted by BBC Sport.

Kent was signed by Rangers on deadline day, so whilst he is used to the surroundings at Ibrox and Gerrard’s system, his match fitness might once again fall back a peg or two.

But there is ample time for him to return from injury and then full sharpness because in these coming months, Gerrard’s side have a number of big fixtures coming up.