Rangers defender Borna Barisic made a surprise return to action after a back injury when he came off the bench in Croatia’s 3-1 win over Scotland at Hampden on Tuesday night – and the Ibrox defender is confident the 2018 World Cup finalists can improve after a lacklustre group stage.
Barisic missed the opening two games as Croatia lost to England and drew with the Czech Republic to leave them needing a win at Hampden, delivering comfortably to secure their place in the last 16.
With the likes of Real Madrid maestro Luka Modric, Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic and Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic pulling the strings in midfield, Barisic is aiming to go as far as they can at Euro 2020 with the Rangers full-back set for a fight with Josko Gvardiol for a place in the starting XI.
“It wasn’t an easy game. We knew that Scotland play a style that we don’t like. It looks like a comfortable game but it wasn’t,” Barisic said, as quoted by The Herald.
“We knew how much quality we have in midfield and we dominated there. There is pressure on us after the World Cup and we didn’t start well, but on this performance, we can build our future games.
“I don’t know how far we can go, but we’ll go as far as we can.”
Barisic’s return to action will have pleased Rangers
After missing the opening two games through injury, Rangers will have been worried over the extent of Barisic’s problem.
The Gers’ title defence and a return to the Champions League later this summer will have had Steven Gerrard sweating over Barisic’s fitness.
The Croatian missed the final few league games of the season with the same back issue but he looks to be back to fitness ahead of a massive season for Rangers.
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