Connor Barron’s arrival at Rangers has drawn inevitable comparisons to Ryan Jack, but the similarities between the two midfielders extend far beyond their shared journey from Aberdeen to Ibrox.
Rangers secured Jack’s services in the summer of 2017 after his contract with Aberdeen expired. Seven years later, Barron followed the same path, joining the Scottish Premiership giants under similar circumstances. Both players developed at Pittodrie and now, wearing the number eight shirt Jack vacated in July, Barron has showcased a playing style reminiscent of his predecessor. Aggressive off the ball and consistently positive in possession, Barron has quickly established himself as a key figure in the Rangers lineup.
Manager Philippe Clement was full of praise for the 21-year-old following Rangers’ 2-1 victory over Motherwell, their first win of the season after two attempts. “Connor has shown great maturity and determination,” Clement said. “He’s adapted quickly and made an immediate impact. We’re pleased with how he’s performed so far.”
Barron, a Scotland Under-21 international, has started in every game of the 2024/25 season, earning plaudits from both his manager and his predecessor. Ryan Jack, reflecting on Barron’s early performances, acknowledged the challenges that come with such a high-profile move, especially given the potential backlash from Aberdeen supporters.
“No doubt he’ll be going through a tough time,” Jack told The Warm Up. “You do get the backlash, but for him, he’s got to just block that out. It’s irrelevant. He’s at a huge club, and he’s got a huge task ahead. But he’s come in and done really well in his first couple of games. I look forward to seeing how he progresses as the season goes on.”
Clement’s decision to immediately integrate Barron into the starting XI may come as no surprise. Unlike many of Rangers’ other summer signings, Barron is a proven Premiership player with nearly 60 top-flight appearances for Aberdeen under his belt. His experience has allowed him to bypass the adjustment period needed by others, such as Clinton Nsiala and Hamza Igamane.
The injury to Nicolas Raskin has further accelerated Barron’s rise to prominence, with the young midfielder forming a promising partnership with Mohamed Diomande. Jack noted Barron’s standout performance in the goalless draw against Hearts in the season opener. “They’ve obviously spent money on certain players, but he was the one who started in those opening fixtures,” Jack said. “He’s done well.”