The 25-year-old joined on a six-month loan last week and has made a good impression in training.

That's not gone unnoticed by Grayson, who has quite a challenge when it comes to selecting a midfield four for the clash with the Tykes.

As well as Gow, Keith Southern returns after suspension and David Vaughan is pressing hard for a first start.

However, the manager has made a point of talking up the credentials of the Rangers new boy as the six-footer aims to make a name for himself in English football.

"Alan will be a real good signing for us I think," said the manager.
"A lot of clubs showed a lot of interest in him and there is a reason for that – he's a good player.

"The nice thing for me as a manager is that he can play in a variety of positions – as an attacking midfield player, a wideman or in the hole playing off the striker.

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"He's a creative player who can handle the ball well and he's someone else who I've brought in thinking he can make us better.

"Versatility is important. You want people who can play different positions but you also need players who can adapt to how we want to play the game.

"We want to get the ball down and pass it and that is one of Alan's strengths.

"I'm happy to be working with him, working on his strengths and hopefully those strengths will contribute to us having a successful season while he is here.

"Regards the long-term, it is a two-way thing. We can have a real close look at him with a view to buying him in January and he will also be able to look at us and decide what he wants to do as well.

"I'm excited by the signing and it's a good acquisition to the squad."
With so many players in the squad wanting a game – first summer signing Marlon Broomes, for example, hasn't had a sniff so far – Grayson knows he will disappoint quite a few.

He admits it is a tricky part of the job but makes no apologies.

"It's difficult to keep everyone happy because they all want to play," he said.

"Every footballer wants to play week in, week out. But when you sign players you can't give them any guarantee that they will be playing every week.

"There are no guarantees that you won't drop them out of the 11 or the 16.

"They know that and they just have to keep working hard and be ready for their opportunity.

"I want them to be disappointed, I want them to be hungry and I want them to take their opportunity when they get chance.

"I'm aware of the situation but it's something you have to deal with.

"I don't just want to have 16 players who select themselves on a regular basis every game because there is no competition for places.

"You have to have that competition and if it means disappointing one or two by not being in the 16 then so be it.

"I'm not the only manager that is doing it at this moment in time."
Grayson and his squad had the weekend off but were back in training at Squires Gate, preparing for the visit of Simon Davey's Tykes on Saturday.