Derek McInnes reckons former pupil Scott Wright can help soften the blow of Ryan Kent’s injury by filling the void left by the former Liverpool man.
McInnes handed Wright his debut at the Dons and helped nurture him before he was sold midway through last season - much to the ex-Reds gaffer’s disappointment.
But McInnes is a big fan of Wright who could be set for an extended run in Steven Gerrard’s first time as Kent faces a spell on the sidelines.
Gerrard admitted he fears Kent could miss as many as five games as the Light Blues prepare for the visit of Motherwell to Ibrox for the league flag unfurling.
Wright has been more of an impact player during his time in Govan but, writing in his Mail on Sunday column, McInnes said: “He has competition but I do think if Kent is going to be missing then Scott is the player who is most similar in that he can go and eliminate people with his speed and trickery.
“He’s already made a good impression and now he may well get a run at it. He still has competition from Fashion Sakala, Ianis Hagi, Joe Aribo and Kemar Roofe.
“But I do think if Kent is going to be missing, then Scott is the one player who is most similar in that he can go and eliminate people with his speed and trickery.
“Kent is a mainstay of the team, a source of inspiration not only when Rangers are cruising games but when they need someone to create that special moment that makes the difference.
“He has not quite been hitting the heights of previous seasons but he has set a high bar. And I still feel that the opposition have that regard for him when he gets the ball.
“They know he can score off both feet, he can create chances. To see him pull up against Lyon in midweek was a blow but all managers have to deal with losing players over the course of a season.
“And that’s where I feel Scott Wright could now come in very handy.
"Rangers don’t play with wingers either. They play with inside forwards and ask the front three to be really narrow out of possession and give them the freedom to go and play from that central area. Scott can really thrive in that role."
Gerrard has spoken of the benefit of Wright arriving during the campaign last season but from the point of view of McInnes he couldn't see the sense in selling him for £150,000.
He said: “I never ever saw the sense in selling him because it really impacted on what we were trying to do at the time.
“For the fee that was agreed, I could see the sense for Rangers and for Scott. But not for Aberdeen.”
