Five years is a long time in football, particularly in Scotland where playing the same team upwards of four times a season must take its toll.

It’s the reason why Ryan Kent could be forgiven for wanting to pursue a fresh challenge away from Ibrox.

The 26-year-old is one of several players out of contract in the summer.

Burnley have been credited as long-term admirers and on Wednesday, the Daily Mail reported that the Clarets have approached Kent’s representatives about a potential switch to Turf Moor.

Kent on a free transfer is an attractive option for many clubs. Over the course of his five seasons at Ibrox, he has provided magical moments, often in high-profile European fixtures, that will have caught the eye of potential suitors.

His performances during last year’s heroic Europa League run were dazzling and perhaps it was a tad surprising an offer didn’t materialise in the summer of 2022 off the back of scintillating displays against the likes of Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.

However, those magical moments have dried up. Like many this term, he has struggled for form and despite an initial upturn when Michael Beale returned to the club as manager, Kent’s showing in the recent Old Firm defeat has led to many suggesting it’s time for a parting of ways.

When quizzed on Kent’s contract situation last month, Beale seemed upbeat that a resolution could be forthcoming.

“We’ve had discussions around it and we’ve both parked everything until we’ve found a moment,” he replied.

“The next moment will be in the next international break when we’ll sit and have another chat. We’re both cool, we’re both on the same page and I think it’s right after the number of years he’s been here and the changes with his third manager here as well that he takes time to consider his options. It’s the same that we do as well. We’ve not put anything in front of him, we’ve just had conversations, at this moment in time, that’s the best place to be.

Rangers Review:

“Is Ryan Kent playing very well at this moment in time? Yes, so there’s no issue. We just keep moving forward, I’m still building the squad that I want for next year and if he’s in it’s because he desperately wants to be here.

“If he’s out it’s because he doesn’t so it’s quite clear in that sense. Our relationship will always remain the same. It’s a young boy that I saw at the start of his journey so I’m quite proud with what he’s achieved so far in his career.”

Regardless of whether Kent desperately wants to be part of Beale’s plans next season, does his current form deserve another lucrative contract?

For this writer, his numbers tell us no.

Three goals and ten assists this term simply isn’t good enough for a player of his calibre. Last term, was slightly better with 19 assists although he scored just three goals again.

He fared better during the 55 campaign, scoring 13 goals and notching 15 assists but there has been a gradual decline in output from then onwards.

There is some mitigation, as my colleague Joshua Barrie wrote a few weeks ago Kent’s impact in other areas can go under the radar. In a 4-1 win over Hibs he may not have notched a goal or assist, but he did win a penalty and according to Hibs boss Lee Johnson “ran the game”.

Beale did say that the remaining months of the season would decide futures. Without a big Old Firm performance at Hampden, can Kent be counted upon as a match-winner next season?

With the outlay Rangers spent prizing him from Liverpool, there are understandable grumblings in that regard.

Speaking to Kenny Miller in January, he agreed the attacker hasn’t produced as consistently as the Ibrox faithful would’ve hoped.

“Ryan’s a wonderful player and I really like him. I’m thinking, as a fan, like everybody, you want to see it on a more consistent basis,” Miller told the Rangers Review.

“You want to see his flashes, not be flashes. You want these flashes to be constantly present during a game.

“In the Europa League run to the final last year, he was unbelievable against Leipzig and against Dortmund, this is the elite level of football.

“It is a bit of a generic way of thinking that if he’s doing it against them, why’s he not doing it against Ross County and Motherwell?

“But it’s a different game and it’s a different challenge that he’ll face playing in those games.

“His abilities are never in doubt because you see it. I just don’t think you see it enough.”

It’s hard to argue with Miller and a growing number of supporters who feel it’s time for a change.

For Kent, a potential move to the English Premier League would surely excite. The opportunity to test himself against the best in the world on a regular basis will no doubt appeal.

If he does depart, he’ll be fondly remembered for five seasons of service but increasingly, it feels like an amicable parting is best for both parties.