Ryan Kent starred in the Rangers win over Dundee on Saturday.
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has claimed Ryan Kent was the best player on the park against Dundee, but revealed he substituted him off to save him for the upcoming Europa League tie.
The 21-year-old attacker scored in the first-half, as the Gers ran out comfortable 4-0 winners at Ibrox in the league.
Gerrard’s side climbed to fifth in the league with the win and now turn their attention to Spanish outfit Villarreal on Thursday night.
The Scottish giants face Villarreal in the first game of their Europa League group stages and will be looking for a positive start against quality opponents.
Kent was taken off against Dundee with Rangers in total control and the Rangers boss explained he is set to play a major role in the European tie.
“I thought Ryan was certainly man of the match while he was on the pitch, him and Scott [Arfield} were terrific today,” Gerrard said, as quoted by the club’s official Twitter account.
“I wanted to get him off because I’m going to need his energy and going to need another performance of that level on Thursday night.
“He was superb and I knew the goals would come. I knew as soon as he started relaxing in front of goal the goals would come. He’s in a terrific place, well done.”
Kent has made an impressive start at Rangers this season since joining from Liverpool on loan and managed to cement his spot in Gerrard’s best XI.
The left-winger’s strike against Dundee was his first goal of the season, but he’s shown his quality in possession in previous games and he can be a nightmare for full-backs.
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