Pundit Ally McCoist has insisted that Rangers manager Steven Gerrard will be desperate to see Ryan Kent return to the club next season but believes a loan is the only way it is going to happen.

The Gers snapped up the Liverpool winger from Anfield on a season long temporary deal last summer and has established himself as one of the best players at Ibrox during the current campaign.

However, McCoist believes his impressive form has been a double edged sword for the club, stating that his price is likely to have soared out of the Gers’ reach.

What has been said?

McCoist was left heralding what he had seen from the wide man this season, singling out his performance against Celtic in the latest Old Firm clash as a highlight, and believes that Gerrard would love to have him among the squad after the summer.

He told the Daily Star: “Kent has been fabulous this season. Since coming back from his injury lay-off he’s been terrific and for me he was the best player on the park against Celtic.

I’d imagine if there’s any way Steven could keep him, he’d be desperate to do so. However, it looks like another loan deal is the only way it could happen.  His performances might just have priced Rangers out the market for him. I might be wrong but I think Rangers’ best chance of keeping him would be a loan deal for next season.”

There has been no indication from either Liverpool or Rangers as to what the plan is for Kent in the summer but if Gerrard wants him that badly, surely there is a deal to be found between the Anfield legend’s old club and new side.

Easy pickings for Gerrard?

It should be – if Liverpool are to let him leave on loan. Kent seems to be loving his life in Glasgow and has shown why he was brought through the Reds’ youth ranks in the first place, but a future at Anfield, even for a player of his talents, seems unlikely.

He would likely be open to returning to Ibrox to continue his development, for it is a place where he has a manager he trusts, and who trusts in him, players he knows and gets on with and a clear target for next season – to topple Celtic.

He might only be on loan, but he looks part of the Rangers furniture already and it should not be too hard for Gerrard to get the winger back from the Premier League side this summer.