Rangers’ new signing certainly doesn’t want for confidence.
Far more experienced footballers than him have toiled amid the expectations when donning that famous blue shirt. But pressure, as they say, can create diamonds.
And Rangers certainly appear to have got their hands on something shiny indeed in young Connor Barron.
Still only 21, the fourth of five new arrivals at Ibrox this summer jumped at the chance to put pen to paper on a four-year contract with his Aberdeen deal expiring.
And while some – including Dons legend Willie Miller – have been left wondering if this is a classic case of too much too soon for a player with fewer than 60 Premiership appearances under his belt, Barron himself certainly does not subscribe to that theory.
In a series of self-assured quotes, the Scotland Under 21 international is not shying away from the demands placed upon him by Rangers and the club’s ever-expectant fanbase.
Rangers sign Connor Barron from Aberdeen
“The expectations are clear,” Barron says, via the Scottish Sun. “Individually and as a team.
“We know what we need to do and we will keep working on things on the training pitch to make sure we are 100 per cent equipped going into the start of the season.”
Young, energetic and brimming with both technical and physical qualities, Barron feels like a fitting posterboy for the Philippe Clement – Nils Koppen rebuilding project.
Clement likes his teams to dominate the ball and press high. Barron seemingly boundless energy reserves and his composure in possession – he has not been labelled a ‘pass master’ for nothing – could make the midfielder one of this summer’s most inspired additions, regardless of how much Rangers will have to stump up compensation-wise.
“It suits me down to a tee the way we want to play,” adds the former Brechin City and Kelty Hearts loanee. “I like to get on the ball, I like to create. I will always give 100 per cent. I am a leader off the pitch as well. I just want to win. I want to win games of football.
“It was clear straight away when I spoke to the staff. I knew in my head this was the place for me.”
A new-look midfield for Philippe Clement
Alongside Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande – who has been tipped to kick on after an impressive loan spell at Ibrox in the second half of last term – Barron will be key to an overhaul of Rangers’ midfield options. The experienced John Lundstram and Ryan Jack have both departed, after all, the former joining Trabzonspor alongside Borna Barisic.
“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,” Koppen, Rangers’ head of recruitment, told the club’s official website in June.
“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.”
