Gatland felt Scotland's 61-21 defeat in England and Glasgow's 38-13 European defeat by Saracens were evidence that it would be risky to take more Scotland players to face the All Blacks.
Sam Warburton becomes only the second man to captain the Lions on two tours as he follows in the footsteps of Martin Johnson, and while Barnes has his reservations, he understands the task at hand for Warburton.
"I think this is the best British and Irish Lions that we've seen come here for a long, long time", Hansen told reporters at Christchurch's Rugby Park on Thursday.
"You're not too sure when you get that glazed look from the players if they honestly believe that", he added. I've got to be able to communicate that to the players and that's going to be part of the biggest challenge. I hung up on Warren first time around, I thought it was the boys [team-mates] messing around'.
Former Scotland and Lions star Ian McLauchlan, who was a member of the only Lions squad to win a series in New Zealand, back in 1971, has spoken out on the issue, and blasted Gatland.
His appointment was confirmed by tour manager John Spencer at Wednesday's Lions squad announcement in west London, and comes four years after Warburton led the Lions in Australia.
"I don't think it'll hold us back", he said of Scotland. But you don't beat New Zealand by having a massive stack count of tackles - you beat them by forcing them to tackle.
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Gatland also namechecked Ireland centre Garry Ringrose and second row Donnacha Ryan as those who fell just the wrong side of the line at Tuesday's final selection meeting. "He has a lot of experience with Wales and Gatland knows what he gets from his man".
Warburton felt the captaincy would go to one of the current global skippers in the squad, but believes he is better prepared for the job now then four years ago when he led the Lions to victory over Australia.
The Wales flanker is now recovering from a knee ligament injury, but insisted he will be fit and ready to go come the start of the tour.
"When it rang "Gats" and I answered and didn't hear anything, I just hung up because I thought it was TJ (James) messing around".
"I'm chuffed for Tommy as well as I think he's been world-class in the last few years and fully deserves his place on the plane. It's a lot more expectation than what they are used to, because people expect them to win", said Hansen. New Zealand, the current world champion and top-ranked team, hasn't lost a three-test series since 1994. They're very good players and somebody has to lose out and I'm not against that at all.
The tour also includes a match against the New Zealand Maori team, matches against all five Super Rugby sides and of course, three test matches against the All Blacks.
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