Kai Kennedy Signs New Contract Extension

RANGERS are today delighted to announce a contract extension for Scotland youth international Kai Kennedy.

The attacker, 18, has impressed in the first half of this season on-loan at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, and has previously been a strong performer in the Rangers Academy.

He was named ‘Player of the Tournament’ at the prestigious Alkass tournament in 2019, helped Gers to a Scottish Youth Cup win that season and also played a key part in the Gers B Team reaching the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup last season.

Kennedy’s new deal runs to the summer of 2023, and he will immediately join Raith Rovers on-loan until the end of this season, with the Kirkcaldy men aiming for promotion to the Scottish Premiership.

Commenting, Sporting Director Ross Wilson said: “Firstly, I am pleased that we have confirmed Kai’s future with Rangers. There has been a lot written about Kai, much of it creating an unfair narrative around him.

“I have been really clear that with respect to our young players’ contracts we will reward talent and provide opportunities, but such rewards at Rangers must be earned and achieved. We felt that Kai received questionable advice previously and halted our discussions.

“Kai, with the support of his family, acknowledged he had listened to wrong advice, and Steven [Gerrard] and I admired his reflection, humility and maturity.

“Kai consistently stated during all of our conversations that his ultimate ambition is to be a successful Rangers player and we are pleased we have a clear plan that allows him to move towards achieving the ambition he has held since joining our Academy as a young lad.

“He has progressed beyond our B Team and he needs to develop and influence strongly at first-team level now. We were pleased with his performances at Inverness and thank John Robertson for his work with Kai.

“For personal reasons, Kai wanted to be closer to his family during Covid times and we look forward to monitoring his contribution to Raith Rovers in their pursuit of promotion.”