His future may not lie at Ibrox but Brandon Barker continues to impress in his loan spell at Oxford United.
The Man City youth graduate was front and centre in the U’s 6-0 rout of Crewe at the weekend, stealing the show with his team’s fourth goal of the game, coming just two minutes after the second half commenced.
Watch Barker’s stunning individual effort below to see the confidence and swagger that he is playing with at present.
👋 See ya@BrandonBarker96 🤯
📺 Watch the highlights here 👉 https://t.co/g7ixUqiV6L#OUFC | #COYY pic.twitter.com/0nJ1diCGHc
— Oxford United FC (@OUFCOfficial) April 11, 2021
Reality
Brandon Barker has talent, that is clear.
At Rangers, he was – and is unlikely to ever be more than – a bit part player.
The nature of Scottish Premiership football means tight, deep defenses with little room in behind – that does not suit Barker’s game and he has not flourished as a ‘false ten’ or inside forward as is often deployed by Steven Gerrard in place of conventional width in his front line.
Barker’s cameo appearances and set displays often came as a sub or on the European stage – not forgetting his disciplined showing from the start in the first Old Firm game this season when he stretched Celtic – Connor Goldson’s double in the 0-2 win brought the three points back to G51.
The example of Greg Docherty is one that looks likely for Brandon Barker as well as Jordan Jones, on loan at Sunderland.
All three players are currently plying their trade in League 1, with Doc set to step up to the Championship with league leaders Hull City after failing to make a breakthrough uunder Gerrard.
He has been a stand out in the English third tier – just as he was with Shrewsbury.
At this level and at mid-Championship, they will be more than comfortable as Barker and Jones have shown with the impact made, following their temporary moves away from Ibrox.
Reality dictates that their situation under Gerrard is very unlikely to change.
Whether at Oxford or at a bigger club at that level, Brandon Barker will emerge stronger with a decent contract when he is relieved from duty at Rangers on a permanent basis.
Credit is due to him for maximising the loan opportunity with Karl Robinson’s side.