Connor Barron reveals the Rangers legend he idolised and 'looked up to' as a youngster

Connor Barron wasn't even born when Paul Gascoigne was strutting his stuff at Rangers. But the Rangers new boy has revealed he idolised the England icon as a youngster growing up.

Barron, 21, used to watch YouTube clips of Gazza's midfield magic after being introduced to the Geordie playmaker's brilliance by his dad. Ex-Newcastle and Spurs hero Gascoigne lifted four trophies in just under three years in Glasgow and ex-Aberdeen starlet Barron dreams of similar success.

Asked if he looked up to any Gers players, Barron said: "Gazza. I looked up to him. 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. I know how successful he was at this club. He was one that I looked up to a lot at this club."

While Barron admired Gazza's masterclasses, it was another ex-Rangers midfielder who had a more direct influence on his career. The Scotland Under-21 international credits Kevin Thomson as a huge figure in his rise to stardom after playing under him during a loan stint at Kelty Hearts three years ago. And Barron revealed he reached out to the former Govan fans' favourite before putting pen to paper on a four-year deal.

He said: "I got introduced to Kevin earlier in my career when I was on loan at Kelty Hearts and had a very successful spell under him. The things he taught me were brilliant and the way he wanted to play suited me to a tee and helped my development a lot.

"It really felt like I came on as a player under him. Having that chat, he told me things about the past and what it was like when he was here as a player and now as a coach. He only had good things to say. He's always there and said to me he's just a text message away if I need anything which is nice to hear from someone like him and the stature he has at the club."