‘A bit different’: Now Gary McAllister wants Ryan Kent to show it even more

Gary McAllister has backed record signing Ryan Kent and skipper James Tavernier to drive Rangers forward.

The pair’s performances came under scrutiny as the Ibrox club suffered a form collapse at the start of the year.

A lot was expected of Kent following his £7-million move from Liverpool.

The winger has shown regular flashes of his ability, but not often enough for the liking of some supporters.

He only managed seven league goals in the last campaign, and went a year without setting one up.

McAllister believes the 23-year-old will make a big contribution in the coming season.

The Rangers assistant manager said: “I’ve known him a while, having worked with him for a period at Liverpool as well.

“It’s good when you get to know someone for four or five years ,and can just see them maturing.

“A conversation with Ryan three or four years ago would have been one-word answers.

“Now he’s more settled. He loves Glasgow, and you’re seeing a player who has loads of potential and can still improve, but who has become a man.

“As he becomes mature, you will see more mature performances.

“He’s a player that can learn from being able to communicate better and have conversations.

“He’s a naturally-quiet young man, but I can start to see him come out himself a bit, and that’s refreshing.

“He is a bit left-field and different.”

McAllister says Kent must get used to being criticised.

He went on: “Ryan is most definitely one of our big players, and criticism is part of being a big player at a big club.

“When results go the other way, you tend to look at the star player within the group – and he’s one of our blue-chip players.

“Even though there were times I felt the criticism was a bit unfair, I didn’t see a player hiding.

“I see a hard-working guy, and I remember way back when I played at Leeds United, a coach said to lose yourself in hard work.

“That quote is flying around my head, and is something I’d say to Ryan – ‘Lose yourself in hard work’.

“Do that, and you might just get the rub of the green, a ball might bounce nicely for you, you might get a shot at goal and a deflection.

“And after that, Ryan can go and get a nice run of performances and scoring goals.

“I know in the modern day a lot of people look at numbers – goals and assists – but maybe he should blank that and lose himself in hard work.

“Everyone at this club has to embrace what is a massive challenge to stop a team from winning 10-in-a-row, but we’re up for the battle.”

James Tavernier is another player some fans feel has something prove, but McAllister is unflinching in his support for the skipper.

He said: “We trust the captain. He’s another player who’s available the entire time.

“He’s set some very high standards in terms of goalscoring and assists.

“I like that he takes on that responsibility, and I think he’s a good captain.”

McAllister is a huge admirer of the way Liverpool won the Premier League title.

He points to the way they manage games, and admits Rangers have to get better at that.

The former midfielder doesn’t shy away from the pressure that will come with trying to stop Celtic winning the 10.

He said: “We’ve got to win. You can break it all down but the easiest way to say things is: ‘We’ve got to try to win’.

“We will only be judged on winning. I sit in a room at the training ground where I can see trophies on the wall.

“And we need to win one of them – or two or three.”