Rangers looking to offload Barker – Ibrox Sources
Rangers are set to listen to offers for Brandon Barker in the summer after a wretched debut campaign, Football Insider understands.
The winger has failed to win Steven Gerrard over since being signed from Man City last summer and handed a three-year contract.
Ibrox sources have told Football Insider that the coaching staff believe Barker lacks the mentality and personality to replicate his dazzling training efforts in competitive matches.
The club are now looking to offload the 23-year-old in the summer.
That may prove a difficult task as clubs may be unwilling to match Barker’s salary, said by a well-connected source to be a “generous” one.
Ex-Rangers recruitment chief Mark Allen was the driving force behind the capture of Barker, who he knew very well from his time in charge of City’s academy.
There were high hopes for the left-winger, who has been capped by England at Under-20 level and was renowned for destroying full-backs at age-group level.
But he has struggled to shine north of the border and Steven Gerrard has virtually ignored him despite the team’s wretched post-January run of results.
Football Insider revealed that Gerrard and his backroom staff were concerned whether the wide man is too “timid” to deal with the unrelenting Ibrox spotlight.
Barker has made 12 appearances this season and scored just once, on his league debut for Rangers against Livingston back in September.
The former Hibernian, Preston North End and Rotherham loanee has been given just two substitute SPL appearances since October and has struggled to make even the matchday 18 in recent months.
In other Rangers news, it can be REVEALED how Ibrox chiefs have reacted to talk of 14-team league.