Rangers fans are getting used to snapping up the best young Scottish players from Aberdeen.
Over the years the Dons have proven a solid feeder club to the Ibrox side with moves for the likes of Ryan Jack and Scott Wright inflicting heartbreak on the Pittodrie faithful.
The contempt between Aberdeen and Rangers supporters – admittedly felt more fervently in the northeast – has intensified in recent seasons.
It’s led to a vociferous reaction whenever Rangers’ objectively superior footballing infrastructure and ambitions have tempted those from the red side to the blue.
Now, the latest player to swap Aberdeen for Glasgow has been speaking about his decision as the Pittodrie support vent into the void.
And it appears two current Rangers players had a role to play in the transfer.
Barron officially joins Rangers
Rangers have officially announced a deal for Aberdeen midfielder Connor Barron.
Whilst the Gers will have to pay a development fee for the Scotland U21 international, the move comes at the end of Barron’s Pittodrie contract.
Rangers and Aberdeen will have to agree a fee or risk the transfer going to tribunal, but whatever happens the 21-year-old will be a Rangers player next season.
With Rangers holding off substantial competition from teams in England and Italy, Aberdeen supporters have vented their frustrations over the move to Ibrox.
Whilst their distaste for the Ibrox side makes the deal all the more sweet, Connor Barron has been talking to the Rangers media team as to why he chose the Gers.
And by proxy, why he chose to sink the knife into his former side.
“I am absolutely delighted,” Barron told the Rangers website. “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.”
Later, the midfielder added: “When I spoke to the manager, it was quite clear, he knew that I wanted to come, and he wanted me to come, so straight away it was a perfect fit.
“He spoke a lot about the way he wants his team to play, and the demands of Rangers and it just felt right.
“It is a club where the demand is high to win football matches and trophies and it is something I really want to be a part of.
“Having the opportunity to go and play on the European stage at a club as big as Rangers is something I feel I will thrive off and something that I really look forward to doing this season.”
Talking about Aberdeen, Barron said: “Aberdeen have been great for me, they brought me in through the youth academy and I have met a lot of good people along the way.
“I am on to the next chapter of my career now, I thank everyone there and move on now to hopefully successful things with Rangers.
“It is a good group of boys here, a big fan base, a massive club as I said, I think it’ll really suit me, and I can’t wait to get going and showing everyone what I can do.
“I have played in Scotland obviously, I know the league, I know what it is about, I think I can help with that.
“I am a leader on the pitch, I like to get on the ball and dictate games and I also like to do the dirty side of it as well.”
Connor Barron is also a Scotland U21 international teammate of young Gers stars Leon King and Adam Devine.
Speaking to both players ahead of the switch, Barron also consulted former Ibrox stars before making a decision.
“I spoke to some of the boys,” said Barron. “It was nice to hear things from their side of it and some ex-players who have played at the club as well.
“Everyone had good things to say so it was nice to kind of get a bit from some of them as well before I joined.
“It always makes it that little bit easier moving to a new club but the person I am I like to get in with people and meet everyone early and build some friendships off pitch.
“I can’t wait to come in and meet the boys and get in and about the changing room.”
Clement & Koppen hail transfer
Rangers manager Philippe Clement and incoming director of recruitment Nils Koppen have also been speaking about the capture of Connor Barron.
The Gers have changed tact in the transfer market this summer, the club opting to move for young players with high potential and resale value from markets across the globe.
As Rangers look to implement a more effective player trading model, the club’s recent activity in the market has left a lot to be desired.
But the best young homegrown Scottish players are also crucial in the club’s transfer ambitions with Rangers learning their lessons from the high profile misses of the past.
“We are thrilled to welcome Connor to the club,” said Philippe Clement.
“He’s a young talented player with the right mentality who’s already gathered a lot of experience in the Scottish Premiership and in Europe.”
Nils Koppen added: “It is important that young Scottish talents play a big part in the years ahead, and we are delighted to add a talented midfielder in Connor to the ranks at Rangers.
“He is a player that we have directly competed against on the pitch in recent years and, through his hard work and dedication, we believe he will prove a real asset to the side.”
Connor Barron made 76 top team appearances for Aberdeen, scoring two goals and laying on five assists.
