‘Rangers best player’: Alan Brazil defends Gers star before McCoist criticism

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Alan Brazil has claimed that Ryan Kent is ‘Rangers’ best player’ but his confidence has been ‘hit’ after his poor showing against Celtic, as he told talkSPORT.

Rangers legend Ally McCoist felt that Kent is showing a ‘complete lack of consistency’ after his display at Parkhead on Wednesday night.

Celtic won the Old Firm bragging rights when they steamrolled their bitter rivals 3-0 to move top of the Scottish Premiership table. 

It was a devastating first-half performance from Ange Postecoglou’s men and also a statement of intent to their neighbours.

Whilst it was all rosy in the Celtic garden, it was the complete opposite for Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who got taught a lesson in what was his first Old Firm showdown as a manager.

One player that came under criticism was Kent and how he was ineffective on the flanks. 

And this is what both Celtic-mad Brazil and ex-Gers man McCoist had to say about the player.

“Ally, you see a lot more of Scottish football than I do,” said Brazil. “I still think he’s Rangers best player when he is on form.

“But his confidence has been hit, hasn’t it? But, in terms of ability, he is Rangers’ best player.”

McCoist responded: “It’s a strange one, Alan. He is key to Rangers’ success because he is probably the only player in the team that can do what Jota does. And that is take on a fullback and go by him. Then the whole thing opens up and he can create. 

“But, having said that, he hasn’t done it. There has been a complete lack of consistency in his performance. It’s wrong to single him out, by the way, because I thought both fullbacks were really poor. But I thought the wide men just didn’t get going.” 

Whilst Kent was an issue, the lack of drive, urgency and forward-thinking nature from the whole team was the biggest problem.

Celtic set the tone of the match from the off and they were in the faces of their rivals.

But Van Bronckhorst’s idea to sit back and absorb the pressure is something he won’t be allowed to do again in an Old Firm match.

Rangers may not have conceded again during the second period, but even the most ardent of fans would agree that they were lucky it was only three in the first half.