Rangers debate making early Middlesbrough decision - Cardiff & QPR must be on red alert | OneFootball

Rangers are weighing up whether to recall Connor Barron on loan from Middlesbrough as Cardiff and QPR should be on alert

Middlesbrough have an abundance of talent throughout their squad; naturally, some players will be used more than others, as one player's parent club is already considering an early recall after a lack of game time.

According to FootballInsider, Rangers are considering recalling Scottish midfielder Connor Barron from his loan spell with Middlesbrough after the 24-year-old's lack of minutes on Teesside.

Barron would join Boro on loan on deadline day as another midfield option in Hellberg's side, competing with the likes of Rokas Pusktas, Sebastian Berhalter, Aidan Morris, and even Adilson Malanda for a place at the base of the midfield.

However, the once-capped Scotland international has yet to make his debut for Boro, or even make any of their matchday squads; if that trend continues, an early recall to Ibrox would surprise nobody.

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Barron came through the ranks at Aberdeen and spent time on loan with Kelty Hearts and Brechin City in between his 76 appearances across all competitions for the former.

He'd join Rangers in the summer of 2024, and despite having made 85 appearances for the Glasgow-based outfit across competitions since, he has never truly nailed down a place in the side.

The deep-lying midfielder was allowed to leave Ibrox on loan on deadline day after it was made clear by new boss Derek McInnes that he would struggle for minutes under the former Hearts boss, as Middlesbrough brought him to the Riverside.

However, with stern competition ahead of him, Barron is yet to display what he is capable of to the Teesside faithful, as Football League World takes a look at two other Championship clubs that ought to be interested in the 24-year-old in case a recall is sanctioned.

Cardiff City

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Cardiff City, off the back of promotion back to the Championship last season, have taken to the second tier like a duck to water, although their solid performances, more often than not, haven't warranted the results they would have been hoping for.

With just one win in their opening eight league games, the pressure ought to be on Irish head coach Brian Barry-Murphy, but the former Manchester City youth coach has been given the benefit of the doubt by many.

The Bluebirds only brought in two fresh faces over the summer, namely Jack Moylan from Lincoln City and Krystian Bielik from West Bromwich Albion, as Barry-Murphy has chosen to keep faith in the players who got the club promoted last season.

Whilst this can be viewed as a positive for numerous reasons, the lack of investment and overhaul in the squad could end up damaging their survival hopes if they are dragged into a relegation battle, as the lack of midfield options is somewhat alarming.

David Turnbull, Alex Robertson, and Joel Colwill are the only senior options available to Cardiff in the deeper midfield role, as things stand, and should injury strike one or two of those down at the same time, the Bluebirds would be in trouble.

A move for Barron in case of his Middlesbrough recall ought to be on the cards, as the Scot would seamlessly fit into Barry-Murphy's high possession system.

Technically gifted and then some, Barron is more than capable of operating in one of the deeper midfield roles in Cardiff's current system, and on a straight loan, he presents little risk and is financially affordable.

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Queens Park Rangers have had another good start to the season, losing just one of their opening eight league games, as Julien Stephan looks to lift the West London club into one of the top eight places.

The R's fought back from 2-0 down at home to Preston North End with ten men to claim a point late on, displaying the fight and courage that the French head coach has instilled at Loftus Road.

A savvy transfer window, which saw each of Dennis Cirkin, Tariq Lamptey, Boy Kemper, Pierce Charles, Calum Ward, and Glen Kamara head to the club for next to nothing, deserves heaps of praise, as the R's have successfully worked within their tight financial constraints.

There are a few gaps currently in the QPR squad, though midfield remains somewhat light, with Kamara, Nicolas Madsen, and Jonathan Varane vying for a place in the side, and whilst Isak Mulugeta and Harvey Vale can also operate there, Stephan should be on the hunt for reinforcements in that area come the January window.

Barron, on loan, would be a perfect fit for the R's, presenting a cheap solution and immediately offering strong competition in the middle of the park.

His slightly different profile to the current crop of options at Loftus Road will also provide Stephan with a much-needed alternative in that area of the pitch, as QPR should be keeping a close eye on the Scot's situation at Boro.