Borna Barisic was thrown into the Croatia side for the first time at the World Cup in Qatar on Monday, with the Rangers man previously remaining an unused sub – and Sportske Novosti have given their verdict on the Ibrox man’s display.
Barisic, 30, has become part of the furniture at Rangers since joining the club in 2018. Even after the signing of Ridvan Yilmaz in the summer, the 29-time Croatia defender remains first choice. Or he did at least, under Gio van Bronckhorst.
He has been called-up to Croatia’s World Cup squad but until Monday, was playing second fiddle to Stuttgart’s Borna Sosa. But Sosa has picked up an injury and Barisic came into the side. He clocked up the entire 120 minutes.
Alongside Celtic man Josip Juranovic and against Daizen Maeda, Barisic and his Croatia side came out on top. That is, even if the match went to penalties. Sportske Novosti discussed his display, handing him a rating of just 6/10.
“When you don’t play for a month and then play such a difficult match, the heart is the key to compensate for the lack of rhythm. A lot of attacks from his rivals in the first half, he picked up the rhythm. He finished exhausted, and happy.”
Sportske Novosti give verdict on Rangers man Barisic after win over Japan
It has been a tricky amount of time for Barisic to go without any minutes – and then be thrusted into such an important game. A match that Croatia finally won, but they came close to going home in the second round of the World Cup.
Barisic is likely to retain his place unless Sosa can overcome the virus that is keeping him sidelined. The turn around is quick, with Croatia and Brazil going head to head on Friday. Rangers may be represented in the quarter-finals.
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