Ryan Kent looks set to return to Liverpool but will Rangers sign Motherwell’s Ryan Hastie as his successor?
Frank McAvennie believes Rangers have already found the replacement for Liverpool loanee Ryan Kent, while speaking to the Open Goal podcast.
Kent has enjoyed a fine season under the former Reds legend Steven Gerrard at Ibrox, managing five goals and nine assists for the Scottish Premiership powerhouses while catching the eye with his speed and direct style.
But the chances of Kent playing for Rangers next season look slim.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool are demanding £12 million for any club wanting to sign the 21-year-old permanently – a fee that looks to have ruled Rangers out.
McAvennie, however, believes the fans have nothing to fear. Because Ryan Hastie, who is apparently set to arrive from Motherwell, could immediately step into Kent’s place.
“The boy from Motherwell that they’re looking at, that will be (Kent’s) replacement. Out wide, they’ll be hoping to get Hastie cheaper,” said the former Scotland international, who had two spells at Celtic during his playing career.
“Is he as good as Kent? I’m not sure. But he’s young, he hasn’t been tested, so you can’t be sure.”
The Scottish Sun claimed at the start of March that Rangers were poised to announce the signing of Hastie on a pre-contract agreement before he becomes a free agent in the summer.
The 20-year-old has scored six times for Motherwell since the turn of the year and has earned comparisons with Gareth Bale thanks to his hammer of a left foot.
Worryingly though, nothing has been confirmed yet and Hastie remains a Motherwell player.
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