Borna Barisic blasts Rangers exit talk

[ian1964 10,593]

Borna Barisic blasts Rangers exit talk as he reveals 'the truth' on relationship with Steven Gerrard

Croatian's future was reportedly in doubt after Gerrard hit out at fringe players after a recent friendly with Liverpool.

Rangers defender Borna Barisic has insisted Steven Gerrard hasn't told him he's for sale and stressed he sees his future at Ibrox.

The Croatian international's future was reportedly in doubt after Ibrox boss Gerrard was far from impressed at the performances of Barisic, Eros Grezda and Kyle Lafferty in a recent friendly against Liverpool.

Gerrard warned: "If there are players I don’t need, it’s easy to address that. I’ll show the players an honesty and respect. If there’s someone who I don’t feel I can give happiness to, in terms of game time, then I’ll tell him. Then the decision’s out of my hands."

And Barisic also failed to impress the Rangers boss when he returned injured from a Euro 2020 qualifier for Croatia in March.

However, the former Osijek player insists Gerrard hasn't read the riot act to him and he still believes he will be a key part of his squad.

Barisic said: "This has been taken out of context. The only truth here is that I have been injured and I have found it hard to get into the team that is in great shape.

"We've won five in a row and conceded just one goal, so of course it's not easy to get back into the team.

"Rangers are a big club with great players and it's not easy to get back into the side.

"As far as my relationship with the coach, it's all great with me.

"I had two weeks out because of my injury with the national team. I got back training and played in a friendly match.

"I admit it took me a while to restore my physical condition and that's very important in the Scottish League.

"Now everything is ok and I feel great. I was on the bench in the last game and we have the derby with Celtic coming up this week."

And Barisic tried to clarify what happened when he returned injured from international duty in a match against Hungary.

He explained: "Yes, Rangers were angry, but there was a misunderstanding.

"Everything was eventually sorted and now there's no problem in that regard.

"We play Wales soon and that is a very hard game for us."

Barisic is friendly with Celtic rivals Filip Benkovic and Jozo Simunovic.

But, in an interview in Croatian publication Sportske Jutarnj, he admitted the friendship does have its limits.

He said: "No, I did not congratulate them on being champions.

"I didn't even congratulate Jozo Simunovic on his goal against Aberdeen."

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/borna-barisic-blasts-rangers-exit-15009554

[RANGERRAB 3,402]

Like many of us I thought Barasic would be an excellent signing but so far he’s been mostly disappointing. 

 

He seems injury prone  too.

[buster. 4,966]

I think we can take it as a given that Barasic has got the ok from SG&Co for next season.

Being on the bench and this article are both aimed to say exactly that.

 

We really need to get ability that is already within the squad and being paid for out there on the pitch maximising performance levels.

A fit and committed Barasic would offer a great deal and if Tav was to leave, the Croat has the tools to make up some of the lost creativity from the flanks.