Plenty of folk have said Rangers would have beaten Celtic twice if Barron had played. I get the point, his work-rate lifts a midfield, but that alone doesn't turn a team into title winners. Energy is table-stakes; you need quality on top.
Energy is the baseline
To be fair, desire and running power change games. A mid who chases, presses and keeps the tempo is valuable. You can see why supporters get excited. When everyone puts in that shift the team breathes differently and we look harder to play against. It also drags opponents out and creates space when players maintain high intensity across ninety minutes.
But seeing that as the be-all and end-all is risky. If the technical side is shaky, passing under pressure, first touch, reading the pass, the running can just be frantic. Under pressure, poor technique leads to turnovers and leaves the defence exposed. Headless running helps nobody.
Talent makes the difference
Talent doesn't mean flashiness. It means composure, simple control under pressure, the right pass at the right time. Those little things win games over a season. A player that combines graft with technical competence is worth more than one who only has engine. That composure is even more important in derby matches where minutes can swing a game.
No team wins titles on graft alone. Look at the shape, the transitions, the ability to keep possession and then hurt opponents. Rangers require both components to be consistent. Consistency over a season is about managing games, knowing when to slow things and when to break lines.
So where does Barron fit?
I'm not slating him. In my eyes he has limited technical ability but does a job. He wins balls, he runs, and that matters. I admire the graft, but I also want to see neat passing, smarter positioning and the ability to retain under pressure. I've heard people act as if eight games with him would automatically hand us the league. That's over-egging it.
Truth is, we need players to bring energy as standard and then offer something extra. If Barron can keep improving the technical side, brilliant. If not, he remains a useful squad option rather than the missing piece that decides a title.
Fans can disagree and that's fine. We can appreciate what a player gives without elevating them into a season-defining force. Keep the appetite, but demand the skill too.
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