Sources: Rangers 'evaluating' Connor Barron situation with recall possible
Rangers will "evaluate" Connor Barron's situation during his loan spell at Middlesbrough ahead of the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.
The 24-year-old is yet to feature in a matchday squad for his loan club, and the Gers are prepared to recall him in the winter window if his lack of minutes continues.
Derek McInnes' side are set to keep a close eye on the midfielder's involvement at the Riverside Stadium in the coming months, and will bring him back to Ibrox if things don't improve.
Sources say that Rangers would look to send Barron out on loan again in the second half of the season, rather than bringing him back into their squad.
However, Barron's parent club remain confident that he will get opportunities to prove himself during his stint with Boro.
Boss Kim Hellberg has made a limited number of changes to his team so far this term, as his group are currently sitting third in the Championship table.
Does Connor Barron have a future at Rangers?
Rangers' busy summer transfer window quickly provided the catalyst for Barron to head out on loan to keep gaining senior experience, despite him playing almost 1500 minutes in the Scottish Premiership last term.
The former Aberdeen starlet has fallen down the pecking order since McInnes took charge at Ibrox, and it may be difficult for him to climb back up it again.
Dan Neil, Nicolas Raskin, Tochi Chukwuani, Cammy Devlin and Vanja Dragojevic are all seen as stronger options in the middle of the park by the Gers boss.
Unless they suffer a drastic injury crisis, Rangers intend for Barron to spend the entire season out on loan, even if that requires a change of club at some stage.
However, by the time the end of the season comes around, he will have just one year remaining on his contract at Rangers, which is sure to prompt major questions regarding his long-term future.
Barron's exit from Ibrox may only be on loan at this stage, but it could easily become permanent within the next 12 months.
Rangers ready to seal 'bargain' James Penrice deal
Football Insider revealed last weekend that Rangers are already preparing to seal a permanent deal for new left-back James Penrice.
The Glasgow giants have the option to sign the AEK Athens loanee permanently for a fee of less than £1million, a figure that his loan club deem to be a "bargain."
Sources say that Rangers' recruitment department already view it as a "no brainer" to trigger their option to buy Penrice.
The 27-year-old has starred for McInnes' men in recent weeks, and has already become a fans' favourite at Ibrox.