Connor Barron insists the Rangers dressing room remains right behind Cyriel Dessers.
The erratic Ibrox hitman missed an incredible sitter during the Light Blues’ Scottish Cup clash with Fraserburgh – but shook it off to net his first Gers hat-trick in a 5-0 romp. However, his future in Glasgow was cast in doubt after the Nigeria international admitted in an interview last week he is looking to hold talks with club chiefs after losing his place in Philippe Clement’s team to Hamza Igamane.
The Belgian boss appeared to hint that Dessers could be allowed to head for the Ibrox exit before the end of this month’s window – but only if he gets a replacement striker lined up first. It remains to be seen if the 30-year-old’s days at Rangers are numbered – but in the meantime he’s been assured of the support of his team-mates.
Asked if he’d like Dessers to stay at the club, midfield ace Barron said: “Cyriel’s been brilliant. And again on Sunday he gets a bit of confidence. He’s got his three goals and an assist, so all the boys are buzzing for him. And we know how good a player Cyriel is and it’s great to see him.”
Dessers isn’t the only one having to get used to a seat on the bench. Barron was a regular in Clement’s side in the opening weeks of the season following his summer switch from Aberdeen.
But lately he’s found himself struggling to break up the midfield pairing of Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande. But having been given a Cup run out against part-timers Broch, Barron is now in line to face an altogether stiffer challenge as Gers head to Old Trafford for Thursday’s glamour Europa League tie against Manchester United.
Barron – who should replace the suspended Mohamed Diomande – said: “It shows the competitiveness in the squad. It’s great to see. And it’s football. Sometimes you’re in, sometimes you’re out and you’ve just got to deal with it. And as I say, you’ve got a job to do as a Rangers player. You’ve got to be on it every day.
“So you’ve got to train even harder. You’ve got that extra desire and it’s brilliant to have that within the group. That’s what you need. And that’s how you’re going to become a top, top side. I think the manager knows what I can do. You’ve just got to keep doing what you’re good at and don’t forget that.
“That’s a massive thing. When any player comes out of the team, sometimes they forget what they’re good at and get lost in it, but it’s all to do with your mentality and making sure that you do things properly day in and day out.”