Rare Ryan Kent absence showed Rangers can live without and Ibrox departure could be blessing in disguise

Rangers got a glimpse of life without Ryan Kent at the weekend. For the first time since Michael Beale returned as manager - 22 games ago - the Englishman wasn’t involved as the Ibrox side eventually accelerated to a 5-2 win over St Mirren.

It might only have been injury which deprived the wide man of keeping up his 100 per cent starting record in league games under Beale. But it’s looking increasingly likely to become the norm as the man who arrived with the X Factor five years ago heads towards becoming the EX factor with his contract into its final couple of months.

Will he be missed? The stats - particularly in the big games where it matters - suggest not. Ten assists and three goals from 43 appearances might be okay for a forward outside the Old Firm. But Rangers, whose only goal next season is to reel in Celtic, need better. Kent failed to produce when the Hoops were off their game last week and that said it all. Like it or not the Parkhead side have set the standard Rangers’ forwards must strive to hit. Where the men in similar positions for Celtic are hitting levels of Jota - 13 goals and 11 assists from 37 games - and Liel Abada - who has scored 12 and laid on seven in 41 appearances - that’s what is needed at Ibrox.

Beale’s January recruitment has added class, energy and some proper creativity to his middle ground with Todd Cantwell and Nico Raskin looking certs to become regulars going forward. Cantwell’s contribution against the Buddies was top drawer - a well executed goal, a glancing header assist and a classy no-look pass as the penultimate touch in an impressive 60-pass move for the fifth.

But the wide attacking areas are in need of a similar upgrade to provide the all-important variety to their threats.