MX23RW : Wednesday, September 18 12:06:58| >> :600:325241:325241:
Sep 14, 2019 at 3pm UK at ​Ibrox Stadium (Glasgow)
Attendance: 48,793
RangersRangers
3-1
Livingston
Tavernier (55'), Morelos (71'), Barker (79')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Lawless (47' pen.)
Dykes (73')

Steven Gerrard reacts to "blow" of losing Ryan Kent to injury

Steven Gerrard reacts to
© Reuters
New signing has a hamstring injury.

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard said losing Ryan Kent to injury was a blow for everyone at the club after the new signing limped off with a hamstring issue in his side's 3-1 victory over Livingston at Ibrox.

Second-half goals from James Tavernier, Alfredo Morelos and substitute Brandon Barker saw the hosts come from behind after Steven Lawless' 47th-minute penalty had given Livingston the lead.

But the result was marred by a first-half injury to new signing Kent, who came off in the 41st minute after pulling up in the Livi half and receiving treatment on the pitch.

The hamstring problem brought a premature end to Kent's second debut, having rejoined the club he played for on loan last season from Liverpool in a deal understood to be worth a guaranteed £6.5million on deadline day.

Gerrard was disappointed by Kent's injury, which he predicted would keep him sidelined for a few weeks, but insisted it was the only negative aspect of the day.

"He's got a hamstring injury, unfortunately. It's a blow for Ryan, a blow for me, a blow for all of the supporters," said Gerrard.

"He's trained well all week and looked ready to go. Unfortunately these things happen in football but that's the only disappointing thing to come out of today really – the injury to Ryan.

"We'll assess it in the coming days but I predict he'll be missing for at least a few weeks."

Rangers were dominant in the first half but could not find the net, with Scott Arfield's shot which came back off the bar the closest they came.

Gerrard revealed he used the half-time break to challenge some of his players to win the game for Rangers.

He added: "At half-time, I put it on a few of my match-winners and said, 'come on, we've got 45 minutes to win a game – that's your challenge'.

"Unfortunately we took another setback, so having not got the early goal and conceding the penalty, the challenge became even more difficult and complicated.

"But I think that provoked us into our best. I think from going a goal down we were excellent, looked really dangerous and could have scored a few more.

"Over the course of the 90 minutes, we certainly deserved to win but we weren't at our best."

Livingston manager Gary Holt was back in the dugout after missing his side's win over St Mirren before the international break because he was in hospital with a blood condition.

He said he was back to full health and expressed his pride at Livi's performance.

"I'm fantastic. I'm fit and healthy," said Holt.

"I'm proud as punch. I asked them to stand toe-to-toe and be big and bold.

"And when you come to a place like this, you need small decisions, the margins to go in your favour."

Holt was unhappy to see his side reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute when Lyndon Dykes picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Connor Goldson and said he would consider an appeal.

"I think it's very harsh. He's not gone up and thrown his elbow, he's contested a ball in the air and if that's what we're going to get, we're going to be playing with eight or nine men every week.

"It's a hard one but I think we'll contest the yellow."

body check tags ::

Click here for more stories about Ryan Kent

Click here for more stories about Rangers

Share this article now:
Instagram - Follow Sports Mole
Ryan Kent in action for Liverpool on July 28, 2019
Read Next:
Jack doubtful but Kent could feature for Rangers
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Click here to log in with Facebook and add your favourite team's news and scores to this panel

6

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
/esi/758/0/index.html - esi:0:site:0:-p-: {0}: - :T758:-: {0}: < ! - - T  758 {0} - - >  : 
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool55001541115
2Manchester CityMan City53111661010
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs522111658
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd52218448
5Leicester CityLeicester52216428
6Chelsea5221111108
7Arsenal52218808
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham522167-18
9Bournemouth521289-17
10Southampton521256-17
11Everton521257-27
12Crystal Palace521236-37
13Norwich CityNorwich5203912-36
14Burnley512267-15
15Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd512256-15
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton512258-35
17Aston Villa511346-24
18Newcastle UnitedNewcastle511348-44
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves5032610-43
20Watford5023410-62

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account