Connor Barron shares love for Rangers icon Gazza as he reveals the other Ibrox title winner on speed dial

Connor Barron was five years away from making his entrance in this world when Paul Gascoigne was last serving up his midfield magic for Rangers.

But the Ibrox new boy was still brought up on a regular diet of Gazza masterclasses - by his Aberdeen-daft dad. Barron senior might have spent his weekend’s supporting his hometown Dons, but while the majority of his like-minded folk were cursing the Geordie playmaker he was quietly admiring the England legend’s skills and thrills.

Gazza’s mastery of the ball and ability to cut through opposition lines like a knife through butter were huge reasons why Rangers romped to eight and nine in a row in 1996 and 1997. And Barron, who left Pittodrie to sign a four-year deal at Ibrox last week, admits he is hungry to get a taste of that kind of success himself. The 21-year-old might only have seen it in YouTube clips but when it comes to boyhood idols outside of Aberdeen he is clear in who left a lasting impression.

Barron said: “Gazza. I looked up to him a lot. My dad was a big Gazza fan, and he kind of introduced me to him when I was a young boy. I’ve watched his clips and I loved the way he played, and I know how successful he was at this club. He was one that I looked up to a lot.”

If Gazza had a retrospective impact on Barron’s career then another ex-Ibrox midfielder had a far more direct influence in the Scotland Under 21 ace establishing himself as a professional. Six months on loan at Kelty Hearts three years ago gave the youngster a first taste of the hustle and bustle of Scottish football - under the guidance of Kevin Thomson.

Whether it was his similar physique or tenacious style that impressed Thomson, the then Kelty boss took Barron under his wing and made him a central part