Steven Gerrard insists the Old Firm defeat had nothing to do with Rangers splashing the cash to sign Ryan Kent.
And the Ibrox boss says there’s much more to the returning £7 million man than the statistics used by those questioning the value of the signing.
Record Sport columnist Chris Sutton said after Kent’s capture: “The fear has kicked in at Ibrox. The signing of the talented Ryan Kent was down to sheer panic.”
But Gerrard claimed Rangers chased the 22-year-old from the minute he returned to Anfield from last season’s loan spell when he was a big influence on the side.
And he says Europa League qualification was the major factor in funding the deal. Gerrard said: “The Celtic defeat had nothing to do with it.
“We’d been trying to get Ryan Kent through the door from the moment he walked out the door. It wasn’t a reaction to losing.
“We had a board meeting the day before the Old Firm game where we discussed it and thankfully we got it done just in time but there were times through the transfer window when I didn’t think we’d get him in.
“We did everything we could and qualifying for Europe certainly helped the club fund the deal but the board have shown again they are very ambitious and want to try and get back to the top.”
Kent bagged six goals last season with 10 assists but Gerrard said: “There is much more to Ryan Kent than numbers. In terms of stats, you see his assists and goals and that’s the evidence he is ready to go.
“He is a player who really concerns opposition defenders and coaches. We experienced certain teams setting up in a way that showed they were really concerned about Ryan.
“Last season was his breakthrough year. He’d had positive and negative loans at other clubs previously after bursting onto the scene. He found it hard to break into the Liverpool squad.”
Gers fans were desperate to see Kent return to Ibrox but Gerrard revealed nobody wanted him back in Govan more than the players.
He said: “All the way through since we came back on June 15 the players have been saying ‘Is Ryan coming back?’, ‘We want Ryan back’, ‘Any news, any progress?’.
“Nobody wanted Ryan back more than the dressing room which was the reason, along with my confidence in him and knowing Ryan really well, we never left Liverpool alone.
“The relationship between Ryan and our fans means it’s really there for him now and I’m really looking forward to seeing how he goes.
“Every Rangers fan I came into contact with throughout the transfer window mentioned Ryan Kent to me.
“I’m actually sick of hearing his name! I just want him to go and play well now, get me some wins and goals.
“What I would say is that he’s not 100 percent right now. He will be in the coming weeks.
"He’s still a good player, he’ll still excite everyone but a bit of patience is needed for a few weeks until he really gets up to speed. Then I don’t know what’s going to stop him.”
