Rangers have announced the signing of Manchester City winger Brandon Barker – and handed Celtic a considerable psychological blow in the process.
Rival boss Neil Lennon is known to be a fan of Barker having managed the youngster during his impressive loan-spell with Hibs.
Barker was also on Celtic’s leaked transfer document which detailed a range of targets the club were working on.
The former England youth international, now 22, was said to be interesting Celtic earlier in this transfer window [Daily Mail].
That would suggest Rangers have stolen a march on their rivals to secure the young winger, who was once crowned Man City’s Academy Player of the Year.
Whilst there’s no suggestion Celtic made an official approach for the player, Brandon Barker would’ve surely been aware of their earlier interest.
Yet Rangers have pounced to make him the club’s eighth signing of an eventful summer window.
Barker joins Rangers in a pivotal stage in his development and if he can reach his full potential at Ibrox Rangers will have secured a top-class talent.
Young, English and signing on a three-year deal, there is clear resale value to Barker should he make the grade in Glasgow.
Now it’s about making that step up and leaving a lasting impression on the Ibrox squad this season and beyond.
The signing of Barker isn’t the only time Rangers have pipped Celtic in this transfer window either.
Rangers beat Celtic to the signing of Joe Aribo earlier in the summer [Scottish Sun] in one of the shrewdest pieces of business at Ibrox for a long time.
