Rangers have been handed a potential setback ahead of Sunday’s return trip to the Granite City, with an in-form midfielder emerging as a serious doubt for the clash with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Former Dons player Connor Barron is facing a race against time after picking up a leg injury in the aftermath of Rangers controlled 2–0 win over the Dons at Ibrox on Tuesday night.
It was a game in which Barron once again underlined his growing importance to Danny Röhl’s side, delivering two excellent assists from corners for goals scored by Emmanuel Fernandez and Nicolas Raskin.
Sources close to the Rangers Training Centre have indicated that Barron has since been placed in a precautionary leg brace.
While the situation is not being described as severe, and the midfielder is not using crutches, his availability for Sunday remains in serious doubt.
There is an outside chance he could make the matchday squad, but even if he does, a starting role appears unlikely.
The timing is frustrating for Rangers. Barron has been one of the standout performers during the club’s four-game winning run, providing energy, control and leadership at the base of midfield. His absence would remove a key component of the balance that has helped Röhl’s side close the gap on league leaders Hearts to just three points.
This is the second time in as many months a player coming into form has picked up a knock – with fellow ex-Don Bojan Miovski also suffering a knock after netting three times in two games last month.
If Barron is ruled out, Rangers are expected to reshuffle in the middle of the park.
One likely option would see Nicolas Raskin drop into the deeper holding role, with Mohamed Diomande and Thelo Aasgaard operating further forward as a more progressive midfield pairing.
That configuration has been used before and offers technical quality, but it does sacrifice some of Barron’s natural defensive instincts and physical edge.
There are other alternatives. Dujon Sterling could be redeployed into midfield, allowing captain James Tavernier to continue at right-back.
Sterling’s versatility and athleticism make him a trusted option in multiple roles, particularly in high-intensity away fixtures like Pittodrie.
Beyond that, the picture becomes more complicated – and more revealing in terms of Rangers January plans. Joe Rothwell, Kieran Dowell and Lyall Cameron are all technically available, the former duo for transfer and the ex-Dundee man for a loan move, but each comes with question marks amid ongoing speculation.
Their roles for the remainder of the season remain unclear, and none appear to be first-choice solutions in Röhl’s strongest XI.
Compounding the issue, Rangers are already light in midfield.
Nedim Bajrami and Bailey Rice remain unavailable, further reducing depth at a time when fixtures are coming thick and fast.
It is no coincidence that Rangers have been strongly linked with adding midfield reinforcements in the January window, particularly a specialist number six who could provide cover and competition in exactly this scenario with both Danish Sturm Graz midfielder Tochi Chukwuani and Swedish BK Hacken destroyer Silas Andersen linked with Ibrox moves today.
From a wider perspective, Barron’s injury highlights both his importance and the fine margins Rangers are operating on during this title push.
His development has been one of the success stories of Röhl’s early tenure, but the need to manage his minutes – and protect him when necessary – is becoming increasingly clear.
Sunday’s game at Pittodrie was always going to be a demanding test, especially with Aberdeen expected to raise their intensity on home soil despite not yet appointing a permanent replacement for the axed Jimmy Thelin.
Whether Barron can play any part may yet be decided late, but even if he doesn’t, the situation underlines why Rangers January business could prove decisive in sustaining momentum over the long haul.
For now, Röhl and his staff will monitor Barron closely – hopeful, cautious, and acutely aware that depth, not just form, will shape what comes next.