Barron has yet to play a single competitive minute since joining the Championship side on a season-long deal on deadline day.

The former Aberdeen star initially struggled to even make a matchday squad and, while he has been on the bench since the international break, he remains stuck waiting for his first Boro appearance.

That led former Rangers boss Barry Ferguson to suggest last week that Ibrox chiefs should be concerned about the way the loan spell is unfolding, insisting Barron is at an age where he needs to be playing every week.

But Hellberg has jumped to the Scotland midfielder's defence and says the 23-year-old has been outstanding behind the scenes.

Barron boosted his chances by scoring the winner in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Newcastle during the recent international break and his manager insists a lack of minutes is down to fierce competition rather than any shortcomings on the player's part.

Hellberg said: “For both Connor and Leo Castledine, they've done a lot of good things lately on the training ground and sometimes for a player it can be down to a little bit of luck.

“Both Leo and Connor are exceptional in that. The difficult thing for players when you don't get the minutes is to keep working hard.

“The chance will come if you work hard and then you need to be ready.”

Ferguson remains baffled by the situation. Speaking on the 5 Stars Podcast, the Rangers legend said: “He is good enough to play. Connor is a really good player.

“If he is not going to get any game time, you would need to bring him back and maybe try to get him another loan. I'm surprised he has not played any minutes at all.”