Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has told the Daily Record that he thinks Brandon Barker can be ‘unplayable’ – but he needs to show it more often.
The Gers clinched the Veolia Trophy over the weekend, beating Nice 2-0 just days after beating Lyon by the same scoreline.
The trip to France has been a positive one for Rangers, picking up two victories whilst also keeping two clean sheets along the way.
There were a number of positive displays in the two games, and Barker produced a strong cameo against Lyon.
Winger Barker was given just over half an hour to make an impact off the bench, and he posed a real threat on the counter-attack.
Barker’s pace caused problems for the Lyon defence, notably setting up Jordan Jones with a great and cross, only for his fellow winger to miss the target.
Barker only joined Rangers from Manchester City last summer, but already seems to have little future at Ibrox after just 12 appearances last season.
Now, Gerrard has suggested that Barker finally showed why Rangers signed him with his display against Lyon, believing that he can be ‘unplayable’ – and he is happy for Barker to stay if he can play like this regularly.
“Brandon has come back in an OK place, but I think the other night was the first time we saw the reason why we brought him in,” said Gerrard. “When he plays to his full potential he can be unplayable — and you saw that against Lyon.”
“But a few cameos in the time he has been here is not enough and he knows that. We have put the challenge to him and now the ball’s in his court. If he repeats that on a regular basis, he is more than welcome to stay around and help us,” he added.
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