OPINION
Sunday’s Betfred Cup semi-final defeat to Aberdeen saw a number of Rangers players disappoint in a strangely flat effort from Steven Gerrard’s side.
Two players who were constantly looking to make something happen, though, were Ovie Ejaria and Ryan Kent – and it’s imperative that the club brings both men back to Ibrox on permanent deals next summer.
The young duo are, of course, both on loan from Gerrard’s old side Liverpool at the moment. However, the Gers boss told the Scottish Sun recently that he’d love to sign them permanently.
Sunday’s 1-0 loss showed why doing so is so important for the future of this Rangers team. On a day when so many players in blue disappointed, it was Ejaria and Kent who remained positive and attempted to light a spark under the stuck-in-the-mud Gers.
The fact that both men are so young, Kent is 21 while Ejaria is a year younger, makes any deal for them a long term investment, as well as as something which will help the team in the here and now.
Both men have excelled since swapping Merseyside for Glasgow this summer, seemingly relishing playing regularly for a club of Rangers’ size.
That shows a positive attitude which will behoove them moving forward. It’s rare for any club to have the opportunity to bring in two young players who they know will be successful, so it’s vital that Gerrard gets both Kent and Ejaria back to Ibrox next season.
Rangers have made massive progress on the field this season, and they cannot afford to go backwards in next summer’s transfer window.
Losing Kent and Ejaria would represent the team moving backwards, because they’d suddenly lose masses of quality from their midfield.
Gerrard will know this and will be working to ensure that that’s not the case. Both players have shone for the club this season, and it’s vital they remain in Glasgow for the long term.