Rangers defender Borna Barisic has made a real impression at Ibrox.
Rangers defender Borna Barisic has revealed to the Daily Record that he watched Osijek against Dinamo Zagreb with Celtic’s Filip Benkovic on Sunday – and asked fans to understand their friendship.
The Gers were prolific in the Croatian market over the summer, first signing centre back Nikola Katic from Slaven Belupo before raiding Osijek for both Barisic and Eros Grezda.
Barisic is currently injured, but made a real impact at left back in the early stages of the season, impressing fans with his crossing ability and attacking play.
On the other side of Glasgow, Celtic also brought in a Croatian defender of their own, landing Filip Benkovic on loan from Leicester City – just weeks after he left Dinamo Zagreb for the Premier League.
Barisic and Benkovic know each other from Croatian football, particularly having played together with Dinamo before Barisic returned to hometown club Osijek in 2016.
Osijek and Dinamo actually faced each other on Sunday, with Dinamo running out 2-0 winners – and Barisic has revealed that he invited Benkovic over to his house to watch the game together.
Barisic understands the rivalry between the two teams, but asked fans to understand his long friendship with Benkovic, noting that the Old Firm rivalry won’t impact his personal life.
“I called Filip Benkovic to come over to my house so we could both watch the game together,” said Barisic. “We don’t have any problems socialising together for now even though he plays for Celtic and I play for Rangers. We are friends and always will be. Fans just have to understand this,” he added.
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