Rangers star Ryan Kent came off the bench at the weekend.
Ryan Kent came off the bench to replace Brandon Barker at the end of the first half against Motherwell.
The Gers’ big summer signing helped Rangers overturn a 1-0 deficit and win the game 2-1.
Kent looks ready to start, and its tempting for Rangers to throw him in and watch him go.
With a midweek match against Ross County, this could be a big mistake.
Rangers need to be sensible as they manage Kent back from a hamstring injury which cost him a month of action.
To this, they must manage his workload, and reduce risk. Especially after the criticism received after his initial injury.
The reason for this is the weekend’s Scottish League Cup semi-final against Hearts.
Rangers need Kent to be fresh and fully fit.
It is not worth risking Kent in midweek, for a game they are heavily favoured to beat Ross County in anyway.
Of course this argument could apply to several Rangers’ players, but Kent is a special case.
His early season injury make him more vulnerable, and his status as a matchwinner means Steven Gerrard has to treat him a little differently.
Rangers should have enough to beat Ross County without Kent. And that’s the way they have to approach it.
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