According to The Athletic's Jordan Campbell, Kai Kennedy is 'close' to agreeing a new contract with Glasgow Rangers.

What's the word?

Kennedy impressed on loan with Inverness Caledonian Thistle during the first half of this season, scoring one goal and supplying one assist for John Robertson's side, including an assist against Raith Rovers in the Scottish League Cup.

Since Steven Gerrard officially took charge of the 54-time Scottish champions, the 18-year-old has struck one goal and six assists across all competitions, via Transfermarkt.

However, his progress has been somewhat limited after a public spat with the Ibrox boss, but it appears Gerrard has changed his mind having previously given the green light for the teenager, 18, to leave the club last July.

Statement of intent

Reports in recent months revealed European heavyweights Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Roma were lining up a potential swoop for Kennedy, which would no doubt have been tempting prospects for the left-winger.

But it seems Kennedy has finally managed to convince his boyhood club he is worth keeping and now Ross Wilson must recognise that he needs rewarding for the show of faith he has shown this season.

The Light Blues boss heaped praise on the "fabulous little player" after some “outstanding” performances two years ago, but he has found his chances hard to come by since then.

If the Gers can persuade Kennedy that he may be best served by staying at Ibrox, then that in itself would be quite a significant coup for Gerrard in the winter transfer market.

With Ryan Kent linked with Leeds United in the summer, there may soon come a point where the Govan-based Glaswegian giants may need a proven number eleven to lead the attack. Granted, he's not quite there yet, but he's starting to show promising signs of being precisely just that.

It will be a bitter blow for the Ibrox boss if they can't tie him down to a new long-term deal and a top European club seizes the chance to snap him up instead - just like what happened with now-Chelsea star Billy Gilmour. This simply must be one of Wilson's top priorities - failure to do so is surely out of the question.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Dean Windass questions Rangers interest in John Lundstram...