Rangers great Nacho Novo has urged the club not to sell youngster Barrie McKay who he believes can become a “top player.”
The 22-year-old has had a difficult season at Ibrox this campaign and has managed to return just six goals and 11 assists in 46 appearances in all competitions.
This has led to a report from the Daily Record claiming that the Gers are inviting £2million bids from potential suitors as manager Pedro Caixinha plans an overhaul of his squad this summer.
However, Novo believes that McKay can still become a brilliant player for the club and has called on Caixinha to show his credentials and prove that he has what it takes to help the young attacker fulfil his potential.
“I’ve known Barrie since he was a kid coming through his early years at the club. Even then we could see how technically good he was,” told Novo, as quoted by the Daily Record.
“He’s got all the tools to be a top player – skill, lots of pace and, as we’ve seen with some of his strikes over the last couple of years, an eye for goal.
“In some games this season he has maybe not made the impact he can but I have to wonder if that’s where good man-management is important.
“There have been a lot of ups and downs for the club, on and off the pitch, and when things are unsettled that can have an effect even on good, experienced players. Their confidence goes and from there it only gets harder no matter how hard you try.
“Is Barrie a victim of that? Because if his confidence has dipped then he needs support.
“The workrate in the team when things aren’t going well has been criticised this year, particularly in the wide areas where Barrie plays, but I think that’s when the manager’s job becomes so important to change that and get the best out of his players.
“Walter Smith had the ability to change a player simply by giving him confidence and support to guide him back on to the right track. With young players that is especially important because the mental strength to play at a club like Rangers is something you build up gradually.
“Of course more than anything it’s up to the player to prove he has the ability and mentality to play at a big club like Rangers.
“But it also depends on whether the new manager has the patience to want to work with Barrie and help him reach his full potential.”
Caixinha joined Rangers in March after replacing Mark Warburton and he has had just over two months to watch his squad which finished in third place in the Premiership last campaign.
It is believed that himself and the club are looking for mass changes this summer and players like McKay, who has been with Rangers since 2011 could now be set for a premature exit.