Rangers early business in the transfer window involved scouring the market for youngsters who Philippe Clement could pick up on the cheap.
They have all been assessed as being capable of improving the squad but few would have expected one of them to make the impact that he has already.
Connor Barron arrived off the back of an Aberdeen career where his talents never seemed to be fully appreciated until it was too late, the Scotland under-21 captain nearly making the senior squad for the European Championships, such was his form.
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Connor Barron impresses again for Rangers
Rangers should always cherry the best local talent whenever it is possible and the 21-year old midfield dynamo certainly ticks that box.
In three competitive games his Rangers News match ratings have been 8, 7 and 7.
Against Motherwell, his personal statistics were outstanding.
A 98% pass completion rate was matched with 3/3 long passes completed and 80% of ground duels won – he wasn’t playing safe passes either, frequently looking to thread balls through defensive lines.
Speaking after being announced, it was clear that Barron has the mentality needed to be a success at Ibrox:
“I am absolutely delighted. As soon as I started talking to the club I knew that this was the place for me to come. Everything seemed right and I think it is the best place for me to be at this moment of my career.
“It is a club where the demand is high to win football matches and trophies and that is something that I really want to be a part of. It was a massive decision for me, but it was made easy by speaking to the staff and the manager and now I can’t wait to get started.”
Barron already a player that Clement can trust
Philippe Clement wants players with high energy, positive attitudes and players who carry out instructions.
On paper, Barron and Raskin are similar in terms of physicality and aggression, but it is the Scot and new arrival who seems to be “getting it”.
Rarely has a domestic signing settled as quickly, but Barron is already leaving a mark on the gaffer:
“Connor is still a young lad who took some experience last season in Aberdeen, but was not playing all the time. He’s taken really big steps because he’s so hungry and so determined to play for this shirt and to give his best. And we’re seeing him grow every week.
“I’m really happy that we could bring him in. It’s also what we want to do, not only to get players from all over the world, but to get really good Scottish players into Rangers.
“Like I said when he signed, he’s going to be for the future of Rangers. A very important player.”
Leaders don’t always have to be grizzly, experienced centre-halves like Robin Propper, Barron can be seen telling teammates where to be and, in breaks in play, giving instructions to those who maybe haven’t quite been carrying out the manager’s orders.
On early displays, Clement is right.
Barron isn’t just going to be a good signing for Rangers, he could well go on to be an integral member of a team with ideas of silverware.
