Rangers pitch over Ryan Kent return sparks fierce debate as diehards demand 'obsession' with old guard ends

The prospect of Ryan Kent returning to Ibrox to face his old club came up after news of Jose Mourinho’s imminent move to Fenerbahce threw up talk of the Special One potentially taking on Rangers in the Champions League qualifiers.

But what about Kent simply returning to Rangers? That is what plenty of light blue legions started discussing rather than just coming back to Govan for 90 minutes in the yellow of the Istanbul giants, should they be paired together in Europe. Like so many wingers, Kent is a player who divides opinion but plenty seem open to the prospect of the 27-year-old coming back.

It’s ironic that such chatter is coming at a time when fans are desperate to see the old guard head for the Ibrox exit, with supporters now having confirmation of Borna Barisic, John Lundstram, Ryan Jack and Kemar Roof departing with their contracts officially expiring. It could be a case of out with the old and IN with the old if Kent was to return.

Kent, along with Alfredo Morelos, was in the same position as the released Rangers quintet - third choice keeper Jon McLaughlin is also going - 12 months ago when he left on a free transfer following the expiration of his Rangers contract. For a player the club had pushed the boat out to sign from Liverpool for £7 million under Steven Gerrard, it was seen as poor business from the club, along with Morelos given they had rejected a bid of around £17m for the Colombian at his Gers peak.

But it hasn’t worked out for Kent in the Super Lig with the winger featuring just 18 times and just one five-minute cameo under axed boss Ismail Kartal in the league this year with his other two appearances coming in the Europa Conference League following the collapse of of a shock move to Lazio in the January window.

Kent signed a four-year deal with Fenerbahce but it’s reported he could become available on free with reports his contact could be ripped up after just 12 months to help facilitate a Mourinho rebuild. That led to Gers fans speculating over the possibility of returning to Ibrox on social media.

One said: “If Ryan Kent becomes a free agent, get him signed again. Sensational player. Works hard on and off the ball. Wins free kicks and penalties for fun and occupies two and three players at once, freeing up other players to get into space.”

But a fellow fan countered: “Everyone says change is needed at Rangers until Ryan Kent on a free comes around. The same guy that downed tools majorly at Rangers. No!” Another was in agreement: “We are obsessed with bringing back former players to the club. Utterly obsessed. Ryan Kent downed tools for an entire season and was woefully inconsistent for most of his Rangers career.”