STEVEN GERRARD reckons Ryan Kent has added a 'different dimension' to his game this term after inspiring Rangers to victory over Willem II on Thursday night.
The winger continued his fine form this season as he netted his fifth goal in nine appearances for the Light Blues with a poacher's finish midway through the first half.
Kent had already played a major part in proceedings by winning the penalty that James Tavernier converted to open the scoring and he would set up Filip Helander to make it 3-0 after the break.
Connor Goldson completed the victory for Rangers to set up a play-off clash with Galatasaray next week and Kent will be key once again at Ibrox.
Gerrard said: "From an attacking point of view, I think he was the game changer for us tonight.
"He does incredibly well running in behind and he has added that into his game this season.
"He gets us the penalty for the breakthrough and he is just a constant threat. He is so sharp and he has added a different dimension to his game, added numbers to his game. He is a pleasure to watch and coach and we just need to enjoy him.
"He has got the hunger and the desire and he is putting in the application to improve his numbers. As a coach and a manager and a group of staff, that is part of his development and we have seen that in him.
"We noticed it was a part of his game that we needed to work on and we will continue to work on it. The good thing is that the player has got the hunger to put big numbers in his game and he is aware of that. If he does, it certainly makes us a lot more dangerous as a team."
Kent has often spoken about the importance of adding numbers to his game in recent years as he has become an integral part of the Rangers attack.
The winger is a man for the big occasion and Gerrard is delighted to see Kent - who was the subject of a bid from Leeds United earlier this summer - continuing to raise his game as he strives for further improvement.
He said: "Listen, he takes accountability for his performance. He knows he is a big player for the club and knows the fans are all behind him.
"He knows that when he brings his best and his A Game that brings us an awful lot better chance to win. That goes across the park and I think everyone turned up tonight. Allan McGregor was outstanding in goal.
"It would have been a lot different if it wasn’t for him. from Allan down to Buff, everyone has taken responsibility. We said we needed a good European performance to get the job done and the players have provided that."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here