Clement told Connor Barron is not Rangers-ready after what has been seen
John Hartson does not believe Connor Barron is ready to be a starting player for Rangers after what he has seen at Ibrox.
His move from Aberdeen in the summer was greeted with a lot of positivity, with the Gers only needing to pay a compensation fee for his signature, but much of that excitement has dissipated.
Philippe Clement has favoured Nico Raskin over the young Scot in recent weeks, seeing the 22-year-old only start two of the last six fixtures in all competitions, a decision which Hartson clearly agrees with.
Speaking via the Go Radio Football Show [27 December], he said: “Connor Barron, for me, hasn’t lit the SPFL up so far. He doesn’t seem the player to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
“He’s in there, passing it and trying it, and he’s a decent player, but to play for Rangers in the middle of the park… Diomande does it at times – he looks a presence in there.
“I’m sorry, he’s a young boy who’s come from Aberdeen, and he doesn’t seem to be somebody who makes the fans feel safe when in the team. I’m not having a pop at him but he’s not quite ready at this level.”
Connor Barron excitement dwindles in new Rangers verdict
Clement has every right to play Raskin instead of Barron, especially considering their compared forms and displays over the last few weeks.
The former has become a changed man in the starting XI, making a huge comeback from his injury frustrations to now being one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Barron, on the other hand, has seen his form drop massively, and with the current criticism being aimed at the Glasgow club, it is not surprising to see the youngster crawl back into his shell.
Expectations at Ibrox will be so much more than he has experienced during his time with the Dons but that will only come with time, and if Clement keeps the trust in him to rediscover his voice.
Eyebrows were certainly raised when the 22-year-old was chosen ahead of Raskin for the shock 2-1 defeat to St Mirren on Thursday, and that reaction seems to have been vindicated after what happened.
In other Rangers news, BBC Sportscene producers have highlighted just how pathetic things are at Ibrox.
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