Wrexham wing-back Ryan Barnett is amongst the latest names to be linked to Rangers ahead of the January transfer window.
The 25-year-old attacking full-back is technically out of contract at the end of the season, but the high-flying League One club do have an option to extend the player’s current deal.
Rangers News exclusively revealed that Rangers have been watching Barnett with a view to potentially moving for the right-back amid the ongoing downturn in James Tavernier’s form.
But Wrexham’s celebrity owner Rob McElhenney has previously pushed back on suggestions Ryan Barnett could leave the Hollywood-backed Welsh club.
As an added bonus, controversial Rangers foe and Celtic fan James McLean – who is the Wrexham captain – has also been hilariously triggered about the transfer reports.
Rob McElhenney on Ryan Barnett
Rob McElhenney is becoming about as famous for his role on hit show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia as he is for his becoming joint-owner of Wrexham Football Club.
McElhenney, 47, made headlines in the UK when he purchased Wrexham alongside Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds in September 2020.
Since then the Welsh outfit have been rising up through the English lower leagues, with the former National League side now in the English third tier.
Ibrox-linked Ryan Barnett has been on fine form for the side this season as they go toe-to-toe with Wycombe Wanderers and Birmingham City at the top of the League One table.
But when asked about the future of Barnett in the past, McElhenney has been clear that he does not want the wing-back to leave Wrexham.
In a post on social media platform X claiming Preston North End and Stoke City were ‘watching’ Ryan Barnett, McElhenney joked: “I hope they have good binoculars.”
Rangers links trigger James McLean
As those Rangers links to Ryan Barnett continue heading into the January transfer window, one of the Wrexham star’s most controversial teammates has been giving his two cents.
Republic of Ireland midfielder James McLean is a stickler for attention and has previous for warning his teammates off a move to Ibrox.
Former Stoke City teammate Tyrese Campbell is one such example, with the striker claiming that ‘a few words’ from McLean was ‘all it took’ to decide against a switch to Ibrox.
As covered by Goal, those Rangers links to Ryan Barnett have triggered a terrified McLean who posted an image on Instagram alongside the right-back with the caption: “Don’t even joke about such a thing!”
Ryan Barnett has made 17 appearances for Wrexham this season, laying on five assists and scoring one goal, with the Red Dragons sitting third in League One.
