STEVEN GERRARD is willing to wait until - as he put it last week - the ‘very last second’ of the transfer window to bring Ryan Kent back to Rangers for a second loan spell.

The winger would certainly be worth the delay for the Light Blues boss and it is no surprise that he is content to play the waiting game.

Gerrard is in the fortunate position of being able to do just that and there is no real need for the Light Blues boss to push too hard to make a deal happen right now.

The return of Kent was always going to be a bonus for Rangers this summer and that is still the case after a productive transfer window that has seen Gerrard add eight players to his squad.

There have been upgrades all over the park and there is far greater strength as well as depth in the group that Gerrard has at his disposal at present.

Speaking ahead of the Europa League victory over St Joseph’s last week, Gerrard admitted he could look to bring in just one more player before the close of business.

If that turns out to be Kent, supporters will be more than satisfied with the work that has been done this summer.

It became evident throughout last term that Rangers had a team capable of winning the Premiership but not necessarily the squad.

When Gerrard had his best line-up on the field, the Light Blues were equipped to beat anyone.

But the squad just wasn’t quite good enough when it really mattered and that ultimately cost Gerrard some silverware in his first term.

Right now, there is no definitive best XI for Gerrard and that is a sign of the options that the 39-year-old has within his ranks.

Some, of course, are almost certain starters but in the middle of the park and wide areas in particular there are shirts up for grabs on a game by game basis.

The return of Kent would only add to those choices and it would give Gerrard another selection headache to solve. It would certainly be a good one for him, though.

This is the strongest group that Rangers have had for several years and supporters are right to fancy their chances of a title challenge this term. Come May, Gerrard’s side should be closer to Celtic and there is a real possibility they will finish ahead of their Old Firm rivals and end their long wait for league glory.

It is difficult to say whether Kent would be the difference between winning and losing in the Premiership title race. As talented a player he is, his capture in the coming weeks wouldn’t guarantee Rangers anything this season.

Their chances of silverware would be greatly increased, though, and that is why Gerrard has done everything he can to convince Liverpool that Ibrox is the best place for Kent to continue his career.

If Jurgen Klopp decides to cash in and sell the 22-year-old this summer, then Rangers are immediately ruled out of the race to sign him.

But the Light Blues are in pole position if Klopp sanctions another loan deal and Gerrard will now hope that his patience pays off .

The pending departures of Daniel Candeias and Glenn Middleton - one permanently and the other on loan - will reduce the winger count at Ibrox and Eros Grezda must also be moved on as a matter of urgency.

Given he already has Sheyi Ojo, Jordan Jones, Jake Hastie and Jamie Murphy to choose from, Gerrard doesn’t need Kent for numbers.

But the wide man has the X Factor that would give Rangers another dimension in the final third.

With the Premier League and Championship transfer windows closing on August 8, Rangers probably won’t have to wait long to discover their fate on Kent.

The fact that Gerrard speaks as openly about the situation tells its own story and should encourage supporters. The final piece of the jigsaw could soon be put in place.