Exclusive: Alex Bruce suggests Gerrard doesn’t think Rangers 23y/o is good enough
We’re delighted to welcome former Scottish Premiership defender Alex Bruce as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Rangers…
Alex Bruce has suggested that Steven Gerrard does not think Brandon Barker is good enough with the attacker struggling to play for Rangers this season.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Kilmarnock defender suggested that it is time for the winger to seek a new challenge elsewhere.
The 23-year-old joined the Light Blues on a permanent deal from Manchester City in the summer after agreeing a three-year contract at Ibrox.
However since moving north of the border, Barker has failed to hold down a regular spot in Gerrard’s matchday squad.
The former Hibernian loanee has played just 12 times in all competitions and only started twice in the Scottish Premiership.
Speaking to Ibrox News, Bruce said: “He’s obviously not done enough to get into the team. Gerrard obviously doesn’t think he’s good enough if he’s not had a chance.
“Especially at the age he’s at, these lads need to be out playing football to improve and make a name for himself.
“It’s obviously frustrating for a young lad. My advice would be to go anywhere just to play games because, in my opinion, that’s where you get noticed.
“Get out of there and get on your career with someone else.”
It is not difficult to understand why Rangers signed Barker in the summer. He is a product of Manchester City’s academy and during his last spell in Scotland, he managed to impress while on loan at Hibs.
However there were warning signs about the 23-year-old last season when he was on loan at Preston as he appeared just 16 times in the Championship due to injury issues, and it could be that those fitness problems led to Barker’s development suffering a hit.
In other Rangers news, a report reveals what will happen to Ibrox loanees amid the Coronavirus chaos.