STEVEN Gerrard confirmed the bad news to Rangers fans last night that their new £7m signing Ryan Kent has damaged a hamstring and is facing several weeks on the sidelines. The 23-year-old pulled up five minutes before half time on the first start of his second stint at his new club against Livingston and now seems almost certain to be out until next month at the earliest.
“It’s a blow for me, it’s a blow for the club and it’s blow for the supporters," said Gerrard. “He’d trained well all week and looked ready to go but unfortunately these things happen in football. That’s the only disappointment to come out of today, but we’ll assess him in the coming days but I predict he’ll be missing for a least a few weeks.
"He knows it is a hamstring and hamstrings are not days unfortunately," he added. "They usually take a minimum of a couple of weeks. It has been a tough pre-season for him. He wanted to get out but had to wait for the final day. Emotionally he has probably been all over the place then he gets his move. But we will get him back fitter and stronger and I am sure he will be a big help to us over the course of the season."
With both Kent and Jordan Jones out for the foreseeable future, the Englishman was happy that Brandon Barker should open his account - on his home debut. “The plan was to play Ryan for 60 minutes and then get Brandon on for 30 minutes," said Gerrard. "But a goal on his home debut and his performance will do his confidence the world of good."
Gerrard's opposite number Gary Holt, meanwhile, praised his players and said he felt two decisions by referee Willie Collum ha cost his side. "When you come to a place like this you need the small decision to go in your favour," he said. "The first goal for them I don’t think is a free-kick. I thought Marvin [Bartley] won the ball and I think he got it clean. Next thing it’s in the net. Big Lyndon was exceptional and I don't think it was a second yellow for him. I think it’s very harsh. If that’s what we’re going to get we are going to be playing with eight and nine men each week."
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