Rangers play host to Spartak Moscow on Thursday evening in the Europa League.
Rangers face Spartak Moscow on Thursday evening in Group G of the Europa League and Steven Gerrard has confirmed that left-back Borna Barisic will be available for selection. Whether he will start, is a different matter.
Barisic, 25, has impressed since joining Rangers from Croatian NK Osijek, who the Gers played against in the qualification stage of the Europa League. Indeed, he has created four goals in just seven outings from the left side of defence.
However, he has been out with an injury for Rangers last two Scottish Premiership matches, while only making the bench in the 3-1 win over Rapid Vienna.
Instead, Jon Flanagan has started ahead of the Croatia international at left-back, and has been immense in place of Barisic during the two excellent victories over Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts and Vienna.
One-time England international Flanagan was rested on the weekend against Hamilton, with Andy Halliday deputising as a makeshift left-back during the 4-1 win over Martin Canning’s side.
But the tough-tackling, robust defender has been excellent in the wins prior to the international break against Hearts and Vienna and if he is replaced by Barisic against Spartak, he is sure to feel hard done by.
Flanagan’s no nonsense approach to defending, and smaller desire to get forward helps keep Rangers solid at the back and against a side like Spartak Moscow, the Gers must focus on keeping their goal intact.
The former Liverpool defender’s form has been excellent, and if Gerrard opts to pick Barisic over his former teammate at Anfield, he is sure to be understandably annoyed.
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