With Connor Barron not playing a single minute during the November international break, Scotland concluded their UEFA Nations League responsibilities, leaving Philippe Clement ecstatic at Rangers.
The 22-year-old joined Ibrox on a free transfer from Aberdeen in the summer of last year and has since established himself as a vital member of the team.
He did not play in Monday night’s 2-1 victory over Poland (18 November), just as he did in last week’s 1-0 victory against Croatia.
Clement will be relieved that Barron hasn’t made his senior debut for the national team since his initial call-up in September, as he will need his star midfield player going into a crucial time in the New Year.
At Rangers, Connor Barron might be Philippe Clement’s key.
Barron’s safe return from duty will be a welcome boost for Clement, who will have a make-or-break period for his Rangers stay following the international break.
This season, the Light Blues have received a lot of criticism. The team is currently nine points behind Celtic and Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership, and there is little chance that they will contend for the championship this year.
Barron has been the focus of particular attention this season, though, and his character is demonstrated by his ability to rise above the commotion and become a vital member of the team.
Barron has stayed a constant in the Gers midfield while Mohammed Diomande and Nicolas Raskin have had to contend for a starting spot.
He has everything he needs to contribute for many years to come. Even though he would be sad not to have played for Scotland, he will eventually receive his first senior cap. He needs to help Clement rescue what’s left of the campaign at Ibrox for the time being.
Perhaps Clement leaps before being shoved. Although there has been discussion over the Belgian’s future for most of the season, the Daily Record [18 November] stated that he has become a strong candidate for the soon-to-be open Belgium position.
It’s unclear if Clement would seize the opportunity to oversee his home country of Belgium. But now that Rangers’ main attention is on the Europa League and they have difficult games against Nice and Tottenham coming up, he needs to put the team’s advancement to the competition’s knockout rounds first.
After his devastating mistake in the 4-1 loss to Lyon, Barron will surely play a significant part and try to demonstrate that he can perform well in Europe.
He was signed by the Rangers for money in 2022, but he is currently flourishing elsewhere
Rangers noticed his talent just over two years ago, and now Connor Young is fully realizing it in the minor levels.
The striker scored a hat-trick in a 3-2 win away to Peterhead for League Two club Edinburgh City, giving him 13 goals in as many appearances. After being relegated from the third tier last season, Young has been instrumental in propelling the Citizens into a promotion race. He leads the SPFL in scoring, four points ahead of joint-second place holders Ross Cunningham and Alan Trouten, who both have nine.
Young, although only 20, began his career at Hibs. He spent time on loan with Civil Service Strollers before Rangers spotted him as a future star, paying five figures in 2022 to sign him on a three-year contract. Craig Mulholland, Rangers’ head of academy at the time, said of his signing: “We are delighted to welcome Connor to Rangers.”
“That is a scenario that this board must plan for rather than allowing it to sneak up on us, as it did with several other key positions at the club that are still vacant.”
“The man we all assumed possessed a magic wand upon his arrival must begin producing results and performances before it is too late. To do so, practically everything must alter. Clement must find that special touch immediately, or Rangers will finish third and face another search for a replacement and a new leader at Ibrox, as the club repeats itself.
“The man we all assumed possessed a magic wand upon his arrival must begin producing results and performances before it is too late. To do so, practically everything must alter. Clement must find that special touch immediately, or Rangers will finish third and face another search for a replacement and a new leader at Ibrox, as the club repeats itself.
Philippe Clement has already had enough of opportunities to show himself at Rangers.
Clement’s time at Ibrox has been marred by poor performances, and the continuous disparity in the league rankings after 11 games demonstrates a lack of development.
Philippe Clement has already had enough of opportunities to show himself at Rangers.
Clement’s time at Ibrox has been marred by poor performances, and the continuous disparity in the league rankings after 11 games demonstrates a lack of development.
Given the huge expectations and investment in the squad, Rangers’ nine-point deficit to the top teams implies that the Belgian has had enough of opportunities to turn things around.
His original hiring was greeted with enthusiasm due to his previous triumphs, but the current scenario demonstrates an inability to adopt a winning strategy.
The board’s patience may be interpreted as giving Clement the benefit of the doubt, but with the season well underway and the team showing no indications of narrowing the deficit, the case for his dismissal gets stronger.
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