Despite reports Brandon Barker is headed for the Ibrox exit, Gary McAllister contradicted that by saying the winger, along with Niko Katic and one or two others, will be ‘returning’ for the Old Firm this weekend.

The assistant manager, speaking pre-Celtic, suggested that a clutch of players could return this weekend, based on Covid restrictions and injuries etc, which would place Rangers in a much stronger position personnel-wise than they were for the trip to Armenia.

But it’s the reports claiming Barker is to be axed that were quickly dispelled by G-Mac as he delivered a very vague press conference this morning that stood out the most on a reflective Rangers management team just glad the side is through to the group stage of the UEL.

Barker has been a truly horrendous signing, and in truth probably will go out again on loan (his spell with Oxford was ‘ok’ and little more) till his deal expires next summer.

We know he was signed as a plan B believing Ryan Kent was not returning, but of course the horrific Old Firm in September 2019 changed that completely and saw the full £7.5M forked out for the Liverpool man, which left Barker redundant.

And his performances haven’t disproved our disquiet on signing him.

But G-Mac says he comes back into the reckoning this weekend. We may see him on the bench….