Rangers winger Barrie McKay has been tipped to become a star at Ibrox.
Pundit Pat Nevin
BBC pundit Pat Nevin has told the Daily Mail that he thinks Rangers star Barrie McKay is already ‘pretty special’ – but predicted that he will become even better in the coming years.
The Gers make the short trip across Glasgow to Celtic Park this lunchtime as they face Old Firm rivals Celtic in the first league meeting between the two sides since 2012.
Rangers boss Mark Warburton does already have one victory over Celtic to his name though, having guided the Gers to a Scottish Cup semi-final win over the Bhoys back in April.
Rangers’ Barrie McKay (R) in action with Livingston’s Jackson Longridge
One of Warburton’s heroes on that day at Hampden Park was winger Barrie McKay, who announced himself on the big stage with a stunning long-range strike to put Rangers 2-1 up.
McKay, 21, joined Rangers from Kilmarnock back in 2011, and whilst he made a slow start to life at Ibrox, he has really kicked on since the appointment of Warburton last summer.
With nine goals in all competitions, McKay enjoyed by far the best season of his career, and even made his debut for the Scotland national team earlier this year.
Burnley’s Tendayi Darikwa in action with Rangers’ Barrie McKay
Today, McKay takes on Celtic again and will look to replicate his success from earlier this year, and he’s been praised by BBC pundit and former Scotland international Pat Nevin ahead of this afternoon’s clash.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Nevin stated that he thinks McKay is ‘already pretty special’, but predicts that McKay will be a player that ‘lights up the Scottish game’ for years to come, whilst praising his ability on the ball and consistent end product.
Rangers’ Barrie McKay is fouled by Alloa’s Kyle McAusland
“With Barrie McKay, you are talking about that game intelligence again – and he maybe even has more than anyone. He really is a clever, clever player,” said Nevin. “He is already pretty special and, in time, he’s going to be a player who lights up the Scottish game for a long, long time.”
“Every time I see him, he’s the one playing with his head up. Even among skilful players, sometimes their head is a wee bit down when they’re dribbling. But Barrie has so much quality that he doesn’t need to look at the ball. He knows he’s got it under control, so he can look up and pick a pass.”
“He is hugely important to Rangers. His final ball, his defence-splitting ball, when he’s actually done that trick is among the best we’ ve seen in a long while,” he added.
Do you think McKay is a special talent?
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