RYAN KENT believes he is in the best form of his career and he has thanked his manager and teammates at Rangers for helping him ‘add numbers’ to his game this season.
Kent, 23, has been a standout performer for the Light Blues in 2020/21, netting three goals from his six appearances and being a constant, creative threat in the last third of the pitch.
This morning at the club’s training ground, the talented winger was named Scottish Premiership Player of the Month for August with Gers boss Steven Gerrard also receiving the Manager of the Month award for the same period.
Speaking to the media after the presentation, Ryan was asked if he feels he has hit top form as he gets ready to face Dundee United in the league at Ibrox tomorrow.
He said: "Yeah I think so, my all-round game is coming together now.
“I'm adding numbers and getting in dangerous areas on the pitch to affect the game, more than what is just pleasing on the eye in terms of dribbles and stuff. Adding numbers is what the manager wants."
Being named Player of the Month for August highlights how important Kent is to the current Rangers team, and he enjoys the responsibility that comes with that.
He added: “The manager and the coaches are always putting their faith in me, encouraging me and giving me confidence.
“Every time I step out on the pitch I'll always play with no fear. I could give the ball away five times on the bounce and I'll always go looking for it because I know there will be a moment in the game where I can affect it at some point.
“So just playing with the utmost confidence whilst respecting the oppositions is key to my game and the manager, the coaches and my teammates will always give me the confidence to do so. I'll relish the opportunity to be one of the main players in the team always."
Having had five loan spells at different clubs, including Rangers, during his years at Liverpool, Kent insists that being settled in Glasgow has been important for him.
He said: "I think that is something I've always wanted as a player. I've finally found a club where I'm really settled and playing week in week out.
“Whilst all the experiences I’ve had have been really beneficial, whether I've not been playing and learning from that and learning from different managers' philosophies, they have all got me to the point I'm at now and I feel like I'm in a position where I can put all these things together. I'm really fortunate that it's at Rangers Football Club."
The Light Blues will attempt to start the season with their seventh clean sheet in a row in the league when they face the Tangerines tomorrow and Kent has praised the team’s defence – and all his teammates – for the hard work that has been put in throughout the previous six Premiership fixtures.
He added: "It gives the forward players a lot more freedom to go and try things. Going forward, when you've got a solid back four or midfield behind you, you can go and try new things.
“But I think on the pitch as well the defensive record is one thing, but it starts with the front men working hard off the ball and making sure they don’t get too comfortable in possession. As an all-round team effort it's a good achievement."