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Mark Warburton labels Rangers winger Barrie McKay a game changer

Rangers manager Mark Warburton (Reuters)
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McKay’s form for Warburton’s Glasgow Rangers side earned him a Scotland call-up.

Rangers' manager Mark WarburtonRangers’ manager Mark Warburton

Rangers boss Mark Warburton has told RangersTV (via club’s official website) that Barrie McKay is a game changer with a bright international career ahead of him after the winger’s wait for a second Scotland cap continued.

The 21-year-old was named in Gordon Strachan’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Lithuania and Slovakia, but was not involved in either game, and was in fact released from the squad yesterday to enable him to return to training with Rangers, the club’s official website has confirmed.

Barry McKay celebrates with James Tavernier after scoring the second goal for RangersBarrie McKay celebrates with James Tavernier after scoring the second goal for Rangers

But despite the setback, Warburton has insisted that the winger has the ability and potential to make sure that his time will come again in the future.

“I know what Barrie can do, he is a game changer, he is a young talent and fully deserves his call up and I know he has a great international career ahead of him but all he has to do in work hard, which is what he does every day,” he told RangersTV (via club’s official website).

Rangers' Barrie McKay (R) in action with Livingston's Jackson LongridgeRangers’ Barrie McKay (R) in action with Livingston’s Jackson Longridge

It is perhaps not a huge surprise that McKay was not involved in either game despite his call-up. Though no Gers players has contributed more assists than the two he has provided in the Scottish Premiership this season, he has arguably not been quite as influential as he was last term.

But with the Light Blues’ general performances starting to improve in recent weeks, it seems more than likely that McKay’s own displays will continue to get better and perhaps reach a level that makes him much more important the next time a Scotland squad is picked.

Burnley's Tendayi Darikwa in action with Rangers' Barrie McKayBurnley’s Tendayi Darikwa in action with Rangers’ Barrie McKay