At this level, Peter Beardsley and Les Ferdinand weren't cutting the mustard as you put it.
Mick man, you know full well that the vast majority of top players showed quality at the age of 20. Perhaps not consistency, but real glimpses of their ability. Ranger hasn't I'm afraid. A couple of goals last year in a Championship winning side and nothing this season of note bar a few headless chicken appearances which to be fair, have ocassionally unsettled defences.
Ian Wright turned professional 3 months short of his 22nd birthday so Ranger is still a pup