Latest reports claim that Rangers are looking into a loan-deal for Manchester City’s Brandon Barker, who spent the previous season in the Scottish Premiership with Hibernian. The 21-year-old operates from the left wing and is contracted to the Citizens till the summer of 2020.
Barker made a total of 30 appearances for the Hibs last term during which he delivered with two goals and five assists. He has impressed enough to draw links with the Gers and Hull City.
The youngster’s chances of featuring for the Manchester City senior squad are slim to none. However, Steven Gerrard will be able to offer him a more prominent role and is very much looking towards announcing his 8th signing since taking over the reigns at the Ibrox. The former Liverpool captain has already brought in Scott Arfield, Alan McGregor, Jamie Murphy, Nikola Katic, Connor Goldson, Ovie Ejaria and recently Jon Flanagan.
Barker started out in the City academy when he was just 8 years old. The won himself the 2013/14 Academy’s Academy Player Of The Season award and subsequently signed his first contract with the club. He has also been capped 17 times and registered six goals for England’s U18, U19 and U20 sides. The Manchester-born player spent loan spells with Rotherham United and NAC Breda to further his development.
He made his first-team debut for City under Manuel Pellegrini on 21st February 2016, being substituted on in the second half of the 5-1 FA Cup loss to Chelsea. That was his only senior team involvement and so far he has been completely overlooked by Pep Guardiola.
With Leroy Sane, Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling already in the side and the Spanish boss looking for more quality additions, maybe it is best for Barker to take up Gerrard’s offer. The Light Blues are on an ambitious path of toppling Celtic’s dominance in the Scottish top-flight.
After the past season’s humiliation at the hands of Brendan Rodgers’ side, Gerrard has taken it on himself to fully bolster the club ranks by adding all the right pieces. He is slowly on his way towards matching the talent pool that Celtic have gathered.
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Barker is an athletic figure who will add pace and give the Gers boss more options to work with from the wide areas. The 21-year-old is crafty with the ball whose distribution skills will come handy. He may not bring in a lot of experience, but is certainly a player that will add quality to the side.
