Connor Barron left it with the men who sign the cheques at Ibrox to sort out the tribunal settlement with former club Aberdeen.
But the Rangers midfielder knows his side will have to be bang on the money at Old Trafford if they’re to get any change out of Thursday’s huge Europa League clash with Manchester United. Gers have finally squared things up with the Dons having pinched the midfield ace over the summer.
Despite being out of contract, the Light Blues were still required to pay training compensation for the 22-year-old – with the final deal of £640,000 plus add-ons set by an independent SPFL panel. Barron chose to stay away from the bargaining table while the two clubs and their Hampden mediators set about thrashing out an agreement. But it’s been impossible to ignore the on-going troubles of a club who have spent more than a billion pounds in a vain attempt to recreate the glory days they once enjoyed under Sir Alex Ferguson.
New Red Devils gaffer Ruben Amorim wasn’t attempting to sugar coat the situation in Salford as he admitted his side were the “worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United” following Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Brighton. But while the fallen English giants haven’t had much bang for their buck lately after sliding to 13th place in the Premier League, Barron believes Rangers will pay a hefty price at the Theatre of Dreams if they don’t pony up a top performance themselves.
Asked if he was feeling extra pressure on the back of the tribunal’s cash ruling, the Scotland international – set to deputise for the suspended Mohamed Diomande against United – said: “No, not at all. It’s done above me.
“I just concentrate on what I’ve got to do day to day and that’s my job. Obviously every game is a massive game for this club. And Thursday’s another one.
“So, you look forward to it. The team’s not picked yet, so everyone will be in and training at their best. So it’s what you’ve got to do and look forward to Thursday.
“It’s a huge night for everybody at the club, definitely. It’s one you dream of as a kid, just like you do pulling on this shirt. It’s another game and we’ll look forward to it.
“Obviously United are a top side. But we’re positive. We’ll look forward to the game. We’ve got to go and do a job on Thursday and hopefully we can.
“We’ve done well in Europe and need to start getting a run going in the league as well, which we’ve done over the past few weeks. So, it’s just about taking it each game as it comes and making sure we’re fully prepared.”
Rangers are already through to the Europa League’s knock-out stages. But a shock result at Old Trafford would boost their chances of skipping February’s play-off rounds with a bye through to the round of 16 in March.
For that to happen Gers would need to maintain their current slot in the top eight but any result against United – who sit a point and one place ahead of Philippe Clement’s team in seventh – would put them in a solid position heading into their final league phase clash against Belgians Union Saint-Gilloise.
But winning south of Hadrian’s Wall remains a huge challenge for the Ibrox club. Of their three competitive wins against English opposition, only one – their 1992 Champions League triumph against Leeds at Elland Road – was away from home.
But Barron has the Battle of Britain fever on as he said: “There shouldn’t be a fear going into any game. You’ve got a job to do as a professional football player to go out there and play the best you can and play for the jersey. And that’s what we’ll go and do on Thursday.”
Despite their troubles, United still possess a squad packed with household names. But Barron was also able to recognise a few familiar faces in the Fraserburgh team as Gers eased past the Highland League minnows on Sunday to book a slot in the Scottish Cup fifth round.
The Gers ace enjoyed coming up against some old pals from his Dons days, saying: “There were a few boys in the Fraserburgh team that I’ve played with in the past that I’ve been through the youth academy with.
“So, a few familiar faces and I know a lot of them, it was nice to see them at the end. I thought it was a professional performance from the boys.
“We went about our work in the right way, which as a given should happen. We’re obviously a little bit disappointed at the little sniffs they had but that’s cup football, sometimes it happens. But we’re pleased to be through to the next round, we’ve done our job.”
Clement used the game to blood some of his Ibrox youngsters into the top team, with teenagers Mason Munn and Curtis Findlay making their debuts. Former AC Milan kid Clinton Nsiala impressed again at centre-back as he notched his first professional goal.
Zak Lovelace returned to make his first start in 15 months as highly-rated prospect Bailey Rice was also introduced off the bench. Barron added: “It’s brilliant to see the young boys getting their opportunity on the pitch and they’re taking it today as well.
“Bailey Rice and Finlay as well. I thought he was brilliant. It’s all of them that came in. So it’s good to see.
“As I’ve said before in previous interviews, I like to be a leader on the pitch. I like to do my best that I can. Whether that’s putting an arm around their shoulder or making sure they’re doing things properly, that’s just what you’ve got to do.”