---
title: "Glasgow Rangers: Fans shocked by Brandon Barker’s appearance in starting XI against Bayer Leverkusen"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/gers-fans-shocked-barker-starts-leverkusen/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "Rangers News"
published: "2020-08-06T16:10:20Z"
modified: "2020-08-06T16:10:20Z"
---

# Glasgow Rangers: Fans shocked by Brandon Barker’s appearance in starting XI against Bayer Leverkusen

**A number of Glasgow Rangers fans were shocked to see Brandon Barker named in the starting line-up by Steven Gerrard for this evening’s Europa League clash against Bayer Leverkusen.**

The line-up was announced by the club’s official Twitter channel [@RangersFC](https://twitter.com/RangersFC/status/1291399683957501954) just over an hour before kick-off, with the ex-Manchester City winger among three changes from the [team that started against Aberdeen](https://www.skysports.com/football/aberdeen-vs-rangers/teams/425565) last Saturday. Filip Helander and Steven Davis also come into the side, with Leon Balogun, Ianis Hagi and Glen Kamara dropping out.

https://twitter.com/RangersFC/status/1291399683957501954

Barker has been the subject of [fierce criticism from numerous ‘Gers fans](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/scottish-premier/rangers/brandon-barker-gers-ibrox-flop/) in the past and has made just 12 appearances so far in the 2019/20 season, with just a solitary goal to his name against Livingston last September. The 23-year-old comes in for his first Europa League appearance since the win over Porto nine months ago. \[via [TransferMarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/brandon-barker/leistungsdaten/spieler/214927)\]

Having [lost the first leg 1-3](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3328541) at Ibrox, Gerrard’s side need to score at least three times this evening to stand any chance of reaching the quarter-finals. Therefore, the inclusion of the far from prolific Barker has shocked these ‘Gers fans, one of whom wryly wondered if it was April Fools’ Day:

https://twitter.com/LukeConway1872\_/status/1291400675751059458

https://twitter.com/gers\_chezza/status/1291403639148482562

https://twitter.com/W\_S\_39/status/1291402615243378689

https://twitter.com/S\_Norval/status/1291401866136498176

> Barker in front of hagi. Is it april the first 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️
>
> — Steven Mcneil (@stevenmc2011) [August 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/stevenmc2011/status/1291400300142764033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> £15m spent this summer on new players and Brandon Barker gets started in the most important game of the season. Gerrard out.
>
> — ally (@\_allymitchell1) [August 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/_allymitchell1/status/1291400306249605120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Canny believe I’ve waited all this time for European fitbaw again just for Gerrard to start Barker over Hagi [https://t.co/HQDj7NCY6I](https://t.co/HQDj7NCY6I)
>
> — Dr Zoidberg (@LeeKane77) [August 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/LeeKane77/status/1291401383191760898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Hagi was poor at the weekend. But replacing him with Brandon Barker is like selling a Ferrari and replacing it with a Fiat 500
>
> — Jamie (@JW\_1872) [August 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/JW_1872/status/1291401749086044173?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

***‘Gers fans, were you stunned to see Barker in the starting line-up? Can he make a difference to the team this evening? Comment below with your views!***