Osijek boss suggests Rangers should change Borna Barisic’s position

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Borna Barisic has been a revelation in the Scottish Premiership and Europa League this season, producing six assists for Steven Gerrard’s Rangers.

Borna Barisic is playing ‘phenomenally’ right now at Rangers, according to his former Osijek coach Zoran Zekic. But, speaking to the Daily Record, the manager believes that the Croatian international could be even better in a different position.

It’s hard to believe right now that Barisic’s future at Ibrox was in doubt just a few months ago. The £2.2 million man struggled with fitness and confidence issues during a disappointing debut season in Glasgow, so much so that Steven Gerrard was being tipped to cash in after just one year in Scottish football.

But Barisic looks like a man reborn these days. The 26-year-old is reminding everyone why is his Croatia’s number one left-back, producing a sixth assist of the season during Thursday’s 1-1 draw at Porto with a glorious first-time pass that Alfredo Morelos couldn’t help but convert.

Zekic, who worked with Barisic at Osijek, is proud to see his former charge go from strength to strength – but he believes that a future at centre-half could await.

“I’m very proud of Borna’s career and his progress. I still keep in close contact with him. In fact, just the other day I spoke to him on the phone for 45 minutes. We spoke about everything. Life, football, tactics. He has made me proud, but not only me, he’s made the people of Osijek happy too,” said Zekic.

“Borna is playing phenomenally just now. He is a very strong defender and is a great tackler in a one-on-one situation. Actually, I have always thought he makes a better centre-half than full-back!

“Borna has made incredible strides recently in terms of tactics and as a defender.”

Given that Barisic’s biggest strength is his ability to put the ball on a sixpence with a pinpoint delivery from out wide, it seems very unlikely that Gerrard is going to sacrifice his attacking quality in order to reinvent him as a central defender any time soon.