Ibrox View: Improvement in crossing from Rangers ace Barisic has been key to success in 19/20
If this time last year you had told Rangers fans that Borna Barisic would have played his way into the SPFL’s Team of the Year for the 2019/20 campaign, they probably wouldn’t have believed you.
The Croatian didn’t exactly shine during his first year in Scotland, but he looked vastly improved this time around, and was included in the governing body’s XI on Friday afternoon.
But what in particular has he done to step up his output so massively?
The full-back has doubled his assist tally this year, bumping it up from seven to 14 in all competitions.
But on the face of it, not too much has changed.
In fact, his dribble success rate and long pass accuracy are both down from last year, and his total action success rate is less than 3% better, as per Wyscout.
They are hardly earth-shattering improvements.
The one key stat that has changed, however, is his crossing accuracy.
Barisic has bumped up his success rate from deliveries in wide areas from 61.9% to 67.4% this term, and the difference it has made has been immense.
His first assist against Celtic back in December is a prime example.
Picking up possession in a wide area, his first thought is to open out his stance and look for the delivery.
As you can see in the image above, however, there is nobody to aim for in the box.
But rather than panicking, the Croatian steps onto the ball, and takes the attack to the full-back.
As a defender himself, he will know how much of a headache it is to have somebody running at you on the edge of your own box.
He forces the Celtic man to back away, and in doing so, creates the space for himself to make the pass.
And the vision it takes to pick out a ball like that is superb.
There are three Hoops players between him and Ryan Kent, and all three could justifiably make the interception.
But the ball is threaded irresistibly along the deck, cutting the trio out perfectly.
The finish from Kent is, of course, a gem as well, but it really is the pass from Barisic that makes it happen.
And if we’re being honest, it’s hard to imagine him pulling something like that off last term.
He has looked like a new man this time around, and it’s exciting to see how far he can progress during his times at Ibrox.
It does feel as if the sky is the limit after a stellar season in 2019/20.
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