Barker desperate to pin down starting place at Rangers

BRANDON BARKER insists he can be a Rangers regular as the Govan side seek to take a massive step in the Europa League on Thursday night.

The former Manchester City winger believes he can grab a shirt and hold onto it despite huge competition at Ibrox.

He knows he has a big opportunity right now with Ryan Kent and Jordan Jones both sidelined.

He suffered a toe injury in the 4-0 win at St Johnstone eight days ago and that meant he was on the bench against Aberdeen last Saturday.

But he came on to play his part in the 5-0 romp over the Granite City men and would love to win a starting slot against Young Boys in Bern.

Barker said: “I came here to play anyway. I believe in what I can do. And I believe in what the other boys can do.

“Hopefully we can all play together and help each other improve every day.

“We are all kind of similar but different in our own ways. But we like to get at players and I think the fans can see the similarities.

“Hopefully we can all contribute and compete for trophies and give the fans what they deserve.

“It’s a really exciting time to be a Rangers player.”

Barker made his European debut in the impressive 1-0 win over Feyenoord and he said that the atmosphere blew him away.

He had been on the Manchester City bench on Champions League nights but said they were nothing compared to being in the thick of the action.

It was especially poignant as the club and fans paid tribute to Fernando Ricksen, who passed away the day before the match.

Barker said: “The atmosphere, the whole occasion, it was brilliant.

“Obviously. we lost someone who was very dear to Rangers Football Club and we dedicated that win to him and I am sure the Rangers fans will be proud of us.

“I was on the bench for nine Champions League games. That was an unbelievable experience. But obviously I never played in it.

“So playing against Feyenoord was my first real taste of it. That was an unbelievable experience. It is what you want to do as a player. You want to play in these big games.

“Now we’ve got another one on Thursday night in Switzerland and we’re going there with loads of confidence. It would be brilliant if we could claim our second win.”