For Ally McCoist, the flying start made to life at Rangers by one of Philippe Clement’s summer signings looks even more impressive in context.
While this new-look squad is starting to take shape, growing in confidence and togetherness by the week, Robin Propper, Jefte Vital, Hamza Igamane and co have become increasingly influential by the week.
Connor Barron, however, stood out head and shoulders above most of his Rangers teammates from day one.
While Clement was keen to introduce Propper, Jefte and co slowly, Barron was thrust straight into the starting XI as soon as the season kicked off. And the former Aberdeen youngster has repaid his manager’s faith with a series of classy, commanding performances.
Ibrox predecessor Ryan Jack cannot speak highly enough of Barron’s Rangers impact.
Both having arrived in Glasgow from Aberdeen, the latter produced another display the former would have been proud of as Rangers stormed to a 2-0 win away at Malmo in Thursday’s Europa League opener.
Ally McCoist raves about Connor Barron’s start at Rangers
Gers icon McCoist, meanwhile, feels that the youngster’s flying start should not be taken for granted.
Slotting seamlessly into a midfield shorn of the experienced Jack and John Lundstram, Barron has excelled even on Rangers’ worst days. A pillar of consistency already, only two months after his 22nd birthday.
“I think he’s started very well,” the former striker tells TNT Sports, McCoist full of praise for Rangers newbie Neraysho Kasanwirjo too.
“There were a couple of factors going against [Barron]. The team is under pressure. It’s far easier coming into a team that’s doing well.
“So I think Connor Barron is doing exceptionally well.”
With ten appearances already and nine of those coming from the start, Barron is already pretty much an ever present in this Rangers XI.
That understanding his fellow midfielder is growing by the game too.
The Swedish press named Mohamed Diomande as Rangers’ Man of the Match at the Eleda Stadium while also highlighting the solidity of a brand-new centre-back partnership. Robin Propper and John Souttar now have four clean sheets in five games.
McCoist also lauds Neraysho Kasanwirjo after Rangers’ Malmo win
So cool in possession, Barron appears to have helped give Rangers an added element of flexibility.
He often dropped into the back three when the visitors had possession away to Malmo, even drifting out wide on the left with the aforementioned Kasanwirjo pushing on into the midfield.
McCoist was reminded of the inverted full-back system Pep Guardiola utilises to such success at Manchester City when watching Kasanwirjo flit between the wing and the centre.
“[Kasanwirjo starting at left-back] surprised me,” McCoist adds, having initially expected Dujon Sterling to get the nod after the suspended Jefte was sent off against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League qualifiers.
“I know Sterling has not really set the heather on fire this season, I know he was better last season, but it was still a surprise for me.
“You see [full-backs drifting into midfield] a lot, particularly with Manchester City. And that’s exactly the position he’s playing when the centre-backs have the ball.
“He really has [looked comfortable].”
