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Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images

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Rangers fans stunned by Brandon Barker’s cameo role against Lyon

Will Butcher
Will Butcher

Rangers earned a somewhat surprising 2-0 win over French giants Lyon in the Veolia Trophy on Thursday night thanks to an own goal and Ianis Hagi striker – but Gers fans were impressed by Brandon Barker’s cameo role.

The Gers followed Celtic after their Old Firm rivals earned a 1-1 draw against Nice, with Polish striker Patryk Klimala netting an equaliser. But Steven Gerrard’s men went one better, winning 2-0 against Lyon.

Despite going into the match as underdogs against a Lyon side that remain in the Champions League after a 1-0 win first-leg round of 16 win over Juventus, Rangers produced a marvellous display.

Ryan Kent’s excellent work from a short corner produced the first goal of the match, as he ran along the byline before his cross was put into his own net by Marcelo. Ianis Hagi scored an excellent volley to make it two, after 25 minutes.

It did not all go Rangers way. Kent was sent off in the 39th minute after retaliating, leaving the Gers with more than a half of football to play with 10 men. But they pulled off a sensational result, despite numerous substitutions.

(Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)

One of those replacements was winger Barker, who has been criticised in the past for his performances since joining Rangers last summer. But after coming on in the 57th minute, Barker starred and should have had an assist.

He first set up Ross McCrorie moments after coming on, only for McCrorie’s shot to be blocked after Barker raced into the box and cut the ball back. With 15 left, 23-year-old Barker’s excellent pass saw Jones’ effort go wide.

Rangers fans were delighted to see Barker shine, even if it was just for the final 30 minutes of the match – and some underlined their shock at just how good the former Manchester City ace was.

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