Tam McManus has identified three Rangers players worthy of inclusion in a best XI for the Scottish Premiership so far this season. Speaking on PLZ Soccer on October 9, McManus agreed with Scott Allan’s choice of John Souttar over Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, while also emphasizing the contributions of Connor Barron and Jefte.
Souttar, 28, has been a consistent performer for manager Philippe Clement across all competitions this season, and a contract extension is reportedly on the horizon.
Barron, who joined Rangers on a free transfer from Aberdeen in the summer, has quickly established himself as a key figure in midfield, while Jefte, another new signing, has been thrust into action due to Ridvan Yilmaz’s injury.
Despite a disappointing overall campaign for Rangers, there are signs of promise for the future. Jefte, in particular, has demonstrated why Clement pursued him last January, despite frustrations with his loan club, APOEL. At just 20 years old, Jefte has shown greater reliability than the injury-prone Yilmaz, although there is still room for improvement.
Barron, 22, has garnered mixed opinions regarding his role, as he has emerged as a positive early presence this season. However, it is suggested that he may not have featured as prominently—starting 11 of 13 games—if the transfer window had yielded more successful signings.
As Rangers look to rebuild and challenge for honors once again, McManus’s selections highlight the emerging talent within the squad.