Wrexham defender Ryan Barnett has addressed speculation over a move away from the club with Rangers said to be among the interested parties.
It comes after escalating chatter south of the border claimed the right-back could be viewed as a potential successor to James Tavernier at Ibrox after impressing for the Welsh side. The future of the Light Blues captain has been plunged into doubt in recent weeks with boss Philippe Clement evaluating his options on the right side of the Rangers backline with both Dujon Sterling and Neraysho Kasanwirjo being tried out in Tavernier’s position.
The 33-year-old was dropped to the bench for the Europa League clash with Olympiacos earlier this month having been hauled off by Clement in the narrow 2-1 win over Motherwell just days earlier. In the 1-0 victory over Hearts before the international break, the skipper was given a start but was replaced by Sterling midway through the second half.
The Lancashire Post (via the Rangers News) have named Preston and Rangers as two of the interested suitors in Barnett – who has a contract at the Racecourse until 2026. And the 26-year-old appears in no rush to leave the League One side.
Asked about his feeling on life at Wrexham amid speculation over his future, he told the BBC: “I’m loving it. The manager gives me that freedom when I go forward and gives me that confidence to take people on.
“All the lads have got that belief in me as well. I think that’s all you can ask for in football, you want to be confident and you want to be happy and I am in a really good spot at the moment.”
With the microscope narrowing in on Tavernier’s display, former Ibrox captain Barry Ferguson reckons there could be trouble ahead for the long-serving star should he face off against Celtic’s Daizen Maeda again in the Premier Sports Cup final. He told Go Radio Belgian boss Clement might head back to the drawing board after Tavernier’s recent problems against the winger.
“I think the manager will sit and look closely at it. You have seen the difference. I thought Dujon was good on Thursday for the 50 minutes. Kasanwirjo, he came into that right-back area.
“He has been a thorn in Rangers’ side over the last number of years, Maeda. He is one player who you can’t give an inch. You need to suffocate him. If you don’t suffocate him, then you are in trouble.”