When still just a teenager, Jamie Barjonas was a genuine member of Rangers’ first-team squad.
As the 2016/17 season drew to a close under Mark Warburton, he featured four times in May.
The first three of those appearances were as a substitute before he was afforded 89 minutes in a 2-1 win over St Johnstone.
There were further opportunities in the following campaign, too. Barjonas earned five more first-team appearances, including a start in a win at Easter Road.
He then replaced an injured Ryan Jack in the 41st minute in a 2-0 home victory over Motherwell at Ibrox in December 2017. However, he hasn’t been seen in the first team since.
Unfortunately, as various managers have looked to strengthen in midfield, he’s slid further down the pecking order.
Last season, Steven Gerrard decided a spell away on loan would do him good. However, unlike Jordan Rossiter over the second half of the season, things weren’t overly successful at Bury FC. Barjonas played just eight times and only featured as a substitute in the league.
His second half of the campaign in Scottish League One at Raith Rovers was more successful. He made 19 appearances in all competitions and scored twice. The first of which was a screamer on debut, too.
It was important for him to get minutes under his belt elsewhere, and the experiences at both clubs will stand him in good stead.
Another loan move on the cards?
Yet, if anything, his chances at Ibrox now look bleaker than before. Central midfield is probably where Rangers are strongest right now and since he’s been away, Steven Gerrard has added Glen Kamara and Steven Davis to the ranks.
They join the likes of Ross McCrorie, Ryan Jack, Scott Arfield and Andy Halliday, with Greg Docherty and Jordan Rossiter also returning from higher profile loan stints.
Realistically, there doesn’t look to be an avenue into the squad for Barjonas just now. He’s contracted until the summer of 2020 [Transfermarkt], though, so there’s no need to panic just yet.
Another loan is likely to be the next step. Yet, if he still wants to make it at Ibrox, surely it has to be at a higher level.
Teenage winger Glenn Middleton is reportedly about to join Doncaster in EFL League One [Daily Record]. A temporary switch to that kind of level or to a lower profile SPL club such as Livingston or St Mirren is where Barjonas should be aiming.
He’s clearly a talented player, but he needs to kick on wherever he ends up this season. Only consistently standout performances will be enough to catch Stevie G’s attention.
