Mark Walters swapped Rangers for Liverpool almost 30 years ago but insists Ryan Kent should go in the opposite direction if he believes his time is up at Anfield.

Kent signed a deal with the Reds in August 2017 to keep him at the club until 2022 but he faces a huge task to break into Jurgen Klopp’s star-studded side.

Steven Gerrard is desperate to keep him at Ibrox for another season with a second loan the most likely option if he is to return to Glasgow.

But the Light Blues could face a fight to land the 22-year-old after Premier League side Fulham were linked with a permanent move for the winger.

It could leave Kent with a huge decision to make in the summer but Walters says the former England Under-20 star shouldn’t underestimate the trust of Gers boss Gerrard.

Kent is currently in his fifth loan spell away from Liverpool but has played some of his best football this season after being given a run of first-team games.

Ryan Kent is chased by Kilmarnock's Stephen O'Donnell

He has spoken of his happiness in Scotland and Walters enjoyed the most successful spell of his career at Rangers where he won three league titles and two League Cups before following Graeme Souness to Liverpool in 1991.

The 54-year-old said: “Ryan has a couple of years left on his contract at Liverpool but for his development he should stay at Rangers beyond this season.

“Ryan knows Gerrard likes and trusts him. He knows what he is about from going to back to their Liverpool days.

“I don’t care how good you are, if you are not playing regularly then you can’t fulfil your promise. It is better for Ryan to be with a manager who has that trust in him.

“If he thinks he has come as far as he can at Liverpool I’m sure they would let him move and play elsewhere. He is not the type to be disruptive but he has to think of his own career.

“And if Liverpool want to sell him, then of course the financial aspect comes into it. Can Rangers compete with some of the other clubs interested? Only they can answer that.

“But if he wants a massive club and the biggest stage, then he won’t get that anywhere else other than at Ibrox.

“Ryan can go all the way in the game. He has shown great potential.

“If anything adverse happens he generally bounces back. That is the sign of a good player.

Mark Walters

“I had heard his name when he was coming through at Liverpool and saw him play in a reserve game. He always looked like he could be a player.

“You have to remember the world-class players Liverpool have got in their attack and in those wide areas. Mo Salah and Sadio Mane are just incredible.

“If Liverpool are to go on and win the league this season, then they will have played a massive part in that so it’s going to be tough for him.”

Kent was the star of the show in the last Old Firm game as he inspired Rangers to a first derby win in 13 attempts with a dazzling display against Celtic.

Walters added: “He really showed what he is capable of – so did a lot of the team.”

Kent will have the chance to show he can produce his best against the Hoops again at Parkhead on Sunday.

Walters admitted he wishes his old club were closer to their bitter rivals going into the game as they trail by 10 points.

He spoke after rolling back the years to score a sublime goal for a Liverpool & Premier League Select in their 4-3 defeat to a Rangers Legends side at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

Around 10,000 Gers fans made the trip with cash raised split between Kilbride Hospice, The Emmie Smillie Charity Foundation and Hillsborough & the Ibrox Disaster Memorial Fund.

Ahead of the derby, Walters said: “It’s not going to be as important a game as it might have been in terms of the title. It’s a bit disappointing because Gerrard’s done a fantastic job generally and raised expectations.

“They’ve played really well at times, so I was thinking this could be the year. In saying that, at the start of the season I would have settled for second.

“The team has come on bundles. The expectation is back to what it should be for Rangers.”