Connor Barron is yet to kick a ball for Middlesbrough after joining on loan from Rangers

Barry Ferguson has questioned Middlesbrough’s decision to sign Connor Barron, and says Rangers will have to recall him in January if his situation does not drastically change.

Barron joined Boro on loan from Rangers on transfer deadline day after new Gers boss Derek McInnes deemed the midfielder surplus to requirements at Ibrox.

Boro took the opportunity to bolster their midfield options with the loan signing, but the 24-year-old is yet to make a single appearance.

Initially, Barron was playing catch up after an injury-hit pre-season, with Boro’s congested fixture schedule meaning time at Rockliffe to train was so limited.

But after the three-week international break, during which Barron is said to have impressed, the only change to his difficult situation at Boro is that he’s been an unused substitute for the three games that followed, as opposed to not even making the bench at all.

Questioning the move, Rangers legend Barry Ferguson says even if Barron doesn’t feature in McInnes plans this season, he will have to be recalled in the January transfer window.

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Speaking on the 5 Stars Podcast, Ferguson said: "He has not even kicked a ball, he has not even been on the bench.

"You would need to bring him back, and listen, if he's not going to be part of the plans he needs to go somewhere to play. He is good enough to play.

"Wee Connor, in my opinion, is a really good player. He is at an age where he needs to play every single week.

"If he is not going to get any game time - which I am surprised at Middlesbrough, why would they take him if they are not going to play him?

“You would need to bring him back and maybe try to get him another loan. But, I am surprised he has not played any minutes at all."

Fellow Rangers legend Ian Durrant also questioned the move, but doesn’t see any future for Barron at the Scottish giants.

He said: “The whole point in going out on loan is getting game time, and he’s not getting that.

“I would expect Rangers will look to do some business in January and bring some players in. So it’s not going to be easy now for Connor to come back.”

When Boro signed Barron, the idea was that they needed backup to starting midfielder Aidan Morris. But there was a feeling that he could also play alongside the USA international.

As yet, however, Kim Hellberg continues to favour a fluid defence-to-midfield role for Adilson Malanda over Barron.

Since Barron's arrival, Morris has played every minute of every game for Boro, having not been involved in the USA's most recent squad.