The 20-year-old, who signed a contract extension this week taking him until 2021, admits he was surprised to find a message on his phone from the Gers manager after a training session.
Barjonas joined the Light Blues’ aged just eight-years-old so to be called round to the professional wing of the Hummel Training Centre was a monumental moment for the life-long Rangers fan.
He explained to RangersTV: “I had spoken about being made a first-teamer with the gaffer before and then there was a training session and I went back to the reserve changing room afterwards.
“I said no, not yet to him so he asked me to meet him in his office in five minutes. I went up and he took me into the dressing room and said this is your new locker; you will get you initials on your jersey now too.
“It’s a huge moment seeing your initials on your top; it shows the step you have made from reserves to first-team and shows you’re a real first-team player now. I was buzzing but I tried not to show it too much!”
Gerrard has rewarded the youngster’s pre-season form and attitude with a new deal and now he is looking to take advantage of the extra time afforded to him at his boyhood club.
He said: “The manager has said he has been really pleased with me since coming back in pre-season and said I worked really hard.
“It gives me another year to get to where I want to be, which is playing with Rangers first-team.”