Former Liverpool winger Ryan Kent has claimed that he was “lied to” about his future before returning to Rangers on a permanent basis.
Kent finally secured a move away from Anfield earlier this month, having spent the past four seasons on loan at various clubs, including a year at Ibrox last term.
The 22-year-old wanted to re-join Rangers this summer but looked likely to stay on Merseyside when another loan bid from Steven Gerard’s side failed.
Kent eventually secured a £7.5m switch on the Scottish transfer deadline day and has now opened up on his Liverpool exit, as well as the uncertainty he felt over the summer months.
“It was very tough,” he said. “I had to stay mentally strong, when you are told you can do one thing and then you are lied to and it doesn’t happen, that is quite hard to take.
“I just had to keep myself fit and train on my own and make sure I keep my fitness levels up and I was waiting for a moment like this to arrive.
“There’s no bitter taste, the thing that I wanted from the start happened at the end so I am just happy with that.
“I would have liked to have been here from the start, it is quite difficult watching it on the TV wishing I was part of some of the games but I am delighted to be back and I can’t wait to get going.
“There were probably some slight concerns along the way when I thought this might not happen and I might have to plan for something else, but I always had a feeling that it might go to the last day of the window and that’s what happened.”
Kent scored six goals in 43 appearances while on loan at Steven Gerrard’s Rangers last season, following previous spells at Coventry, Barnsley, Freiburg and Bristol City.
“I’m in a privileged position in life to be playing football, it’s every kid’s dream,” Kent said. “And I think it’s naive to not enjoy that position in life. I’m fortunate to be in that position in life.
“For once in my life to be feeling at home somewhere, to be actually enjoying my football, I want that feeling for the rest of my career. I felt that for the first time when I came here.”
