What ex-Rangers CEO candidate Adrian Bevington has told Middlesbrough about Connor Barron

Adrian Bevington has waxed lyrical to Middlesbrough over their deal for Rangers midfielder Connor Barron.

Having fallen out of favour at Ibrox under Derek McInnes, the 24-year-old was always a likely figure to leave this summer.

With interest across European football, it was English Championship promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough who secured his services.

The Teessiders completed a last-minute season-long loan deal for Barron just before their 11pm transfer deadline on Tuesday.

And Bevington, who once came close to joining Rangers at boardroom level, is delighted to see his boyhood Boro snap up the Gers outcast.

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What does Adrian Bevington think is 'tremendous' about Connor Barron?

Bevington, detailed via the Daily Record, admitted in September 2024 that he wanted the then-vacant Rangers CEO position.

That ultimately ended up going to Patrick Stewart, leaving the Middlesbrough-born Bevington disappointed.

But in an X post responding to Middlesbrough's signing announcement for Barron, Bevington is overjoyed to see the Rangers man link up with Boro.

"In Connor Barron, Boro have signed a player with a tremendous attitude and work ethic," the founder of Bevington Sport football consultancy company said.

"A real team player who has leadership qualities beyond his years.

"Also a really nice guy to speak with. Welcome to Teesside Connor and good luck."

So, what are Barron's prospects of regular game time at Middlesbrough like this season?

Why Barron has left one crowded midfield to join another

With Rangers bringing in three new central midfielders this summer on top of the players already in place, competition for minutes is rife at Ibrox.

As such, a loan move away has the potential to offer Barron an opportunity to get more regular game time under his belt.

However, Middlesbrough's central midfield department is also stacked with a number of quality players.

Middlesbrough have signed American international Sebastian Berhalter and USA youth international Rokas Pukstas this summer.

Meanwhile, fellow USMNT star Aidan Morris is widely regarded as one of the best central midfielders in the Championship.

Towering centre-back Adilson Malanda is also comfortable in midfield, whilst the likes of Riley McGree, Leo Castledine and Law McCabe can all play there too.

So, Barron is definitely going to have his work cut out for him if he's to cement a regular starting role in Kim Hellberg's Middlesbrough team.