Ibrox View: Rangers 23y/o surely facing looming exit this summer after woeful 19/20
RANGERS OPINION
There are several first team squad members who must wondering whether they will still be at Rangers this time next season.
After another failing attempt to topple Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, it feels as if an overhaul is needed if Steven Gerrard must do something to freshen up a squad that has lost its spark of late.
And one man who will surely be wondering where his future lies is Brandon Barker.
The 23-year-old has been limited to just 12 appearances in all competitions so far this season, with just six of those coming in the Scottish Premiership.
His stats make for some pretty nightmarish reading too.
So far this term his long pass completion rate is 0%, as per Wyscout, while his dribble success rate is 13.2% lower than Ryan Kent’s, and his crossing accuracy his 9.5% worse.
Factor in a total action success rate of 55.8% – 6.4% lower than his teammate’s – and it’s clear that Barker has been off the pace by some distance.
But is there any hope for him at Ibrox?
A closer look at him in action does little to reassure.
His display against Stranraer in January is a perfect illustration of where he’s going wrong.
Barker played 29 minutes of that match, making no successful dribbles and recording no accurate crosses.
What stood out most, however, was just how low his confidence looked.
Take the image above, for example.
Late in the game, with a relatively fresh set of legs, the wide man gets himself into a good position on the flank, but is met by two defenders.
You would hope in that situation that he would be willing to put the hammer down, try and get to the byline, stretch the back four, and carve out a goalscoring opportunity.
Instead, he slows the play down before trying the thread the eye of a needle with a timid pass that is ultimately easy to read and easily cut out.
Mind you, having seen his efforts to beat a man in this match, it’s little wonder that his confidence is shot.
In the image above, for example, you would hope that Barker could really do something from that kind of position.
With some pace and directness, he could get at a back-pedalling defender and really drive into a dangerous area.
Instead, he cuts inside far too early – once again slowing the play down – and allows the defender to get out to him and make the challenge.
What’s arguably worse, however, is that the Rangers man does it all while looking as if he is barely in control of the ball.
It’s really basic stuff for a winger to be doing, and unless he can sort himself out quickly, you can’t help fearing that Barker’s time at Ibrox could be just about done.
In other Rangers news, ‘Massive’ – Ibrox Exclusive: Bruce reacts to fresh Gers ‘kick in the teeth’ after UEFA report.