New Rangers boss Michael Beale has admitted Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent are playing well below their best at the moment.
Both players will be out of contract at the end of the season and asked about their futures at Ibrox, Beale said he is preparing for life without them if they do leave the club:
“I think they’re capable of more than they’re showing right now, that’s fair to say, but they’ll have their own reasons for that and they’ll be working away at that. I trust both players and we’ve played this out as a club before with Connor Goldson and his contract situation.”
“Sometimes a player wants to see and take their time, there’s no problem, it’s fine. I think the option is both ways with the players, the cards aren’t in Ryan and Alfredo’s hands. We also want to create a stronger Rangers going forward, with or without those players. Ideally with them.”
Supporters on Twitter are happy that Beale is being honest about Morelos and Kent’s poor performances, although they are not entirely in agreement with his comments that the Gers should keep the pair of them:
I'm confident he'll get them back to a much higher level, positive sounds for the first time in a while
— Pena Cartel (@PenaCartel) November 30, 2022
Id be happy to keep Kent but AM’s time is up. He continues to let us down & will keep doing so.
— Fobrerg40 (@Fobrerg40) November 30, 2022
Bringing the likes of Kent and Morelos back to some of the levels we have had in the past is huge for the rest of this campaign. Whether they are here beyond that is still a big "?" Though. I do believe that there's exciting times ahead, first and foremost in our style of play
— Marty (@Marty3007) November 30, 2022
Buff will let him down at some point best to get rid and look at another striker to improve the team
— GB (@Gb24ham) November 30, 2022
I think its well too late for either of them. They are out of contract & free to talk to any parties in a month. Both are not worth contract extensions on the current wages they are on & form doesnt merit any extensions at all. Think both need to move on for the good of the club!
— Renegade (@RenegadeUk101) November 30, 2022
They can sign pre contracts and show their next clubs what they can expect
— Craig Whyte (@RIPRFC) November 30, 2022
It’s difficult to predict what will happen with Morelos and Kent now Beale is in charge. Both have worked with him before during a successful period for the club but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will automatically start putting in better displays again.
Their contract situations mean there is a lack of certainty about their futures. It raises questions about their commitment and whether there is any real incentive for them to improve their form even with a new manager at the helm.