Ibrox View: Whelan surely right to be drooling over transformation of ‘awful’ Rangers ace
RANGERS OPINION
They say that patience is a virtue, and Steven Gerrard will certainly be buying into that adage after the transformation of Borna Barisic this season.
The Croatian full-back had to endure a rocky start to life with Rangers after joining from NK Osijek in the summer of 2018, but he has looked like a whole new player this term.
He ended the first half of the season with a superb brace of assists against Celtic at Parkhead, and the overall standard of his performances have even led pundit Andy Walker to herald him as the best left-back in the country right now, as per the Scottish Sun.
But he’s not the only one who has been left impressed by the defender.
Speaking to Football Insider, ex-Aberdeen hitman Noel Whelan has also sung Barisic’s praises for turning things around after having a difficult time of things last year.
He said: “What a player he is.
“I thought he was Rangers’ best player against Celtic [last week] and his transformation from last season, when he was pretty awful, really stands out.
“He’s a really solid defender, strong in the tackle, good in the air and has a solid understanding with the rest of the back four.
“Going forward, he’s a big threat on the overlap and his deliveries on the left are difficult to defend. Celtic couldn’t handle his corners, they were absolutely brilliant.
“Credit to him and credit to Stevie Gerrard for sticking by him and getting the best out of him.”
It’s on the front foot that Barisic has really made strides.
Last season, the 27-year-old made 27 appearances in all competitions, registering just seven assist, as per Transfermarkt.
This time around, he has already made the same amount of outings, but has 13 assists to his name.
That’s a sizeable leap, and one that shows just how integral he has become to this Gers side.
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