Is there a more divisive, opinion-splitting member in the current Rangers squad than Borna Barisic? A player who, at the very same time, manages to look like both a weak link and one of the club’s most creative influences.
For all the chances he gives away with his suspect positioning at one end, he frequently makes up for with a steady stream of impressive deliveries at the other end. Barisic has six assists in all competitions this season, setting up Mallik Tilman’s dramatic decider in the Champions League qualifier vs Union Saint Gilloise.
He also produced arguably the worst individual performance of any Rangers player throughout 2022/23; choking on Liel Abada’s dust during September’s 4-0 thumping at Celtic. The most mixed of mixed bags.
Could Mick Beale look to replace Borna Barisic with QPR’s Kenneth Paal at Rangers?
Now, the £2.2 million signing from NK Osijek may not be one of the many Rangers players entering the final few months of their contracts but, having turned 30 and with his deal expiring in 2024, the returning Mick Beale still faces a difficult decision regarding Barisic’s future once he arrives to take Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s place in the Ibrox dugout.
Per BBC Sport, Beale could be confirmed as Rangers’ new boss within 24 hours. Fellow QPR coaches Damian Matthew, Harry Watling and Neil Banfield are all expected to follow Beale north of the border (Sky Sports), and one wonders if the 42-year-old will be tempted to return to Loftus Road for Barisic’s long-term replacement as well.
Beale, after all, was key to Kenneth Paal’s arrival at QPR on a free transfer in June. The 25-year-old Dutchman, who admitted to being flattered by interest from Ange Postecoglou Celtic side in 2021, was a long-time target of Beale’s, who ‘tried very hard to recruit him’ during his first spell in Glasgow.
Beale wanted Paal at Ibrox
“I have followed Kenneth’s progress since (his) time at PSV,” Beale said over the summer.
“I have seen him play a lot as he has grown into a senior player. He has always performed to a high level. I tried very hard to recruit him to Glasgow Rangers two summers ago and therefore I am delighted to have finally signed him and having the opportunity to work with him here at QPR.”
“He’ll give us good balance in the team, being another left-footed player. He will bring the team forward on a technical level. He has had a very good schooling at PSV. (Paal) will provide us with extra solutions when the team is attacking.
“I feel the balance of the team to right and left footers is very healthy now in our squad.”
Of course, QPR are unlikely to let Paal go without a fight so soon after signing him. But don’t be surprised if, with Barisic’s future uncertain, Beale looks close to home for a solution.
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