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Neil McCann slams Borna Barisic in Rangers 0-0 draw v Alashkert
Neil McCann has taken aim at Borna Barisic for a lethargic display as Rangers limped into the Europa League group stage with a 0-0 draw v Alashkert.
The Gers were far from their best as they looked to preserve their one-goal advantage from last week’s first-leg clash at Ibrox.
Alfredo Morelos, the hero of the previous encounter, was guilty of profligacy in front of goal, but there were also issues at the back despite the first-half dismissal of James for the home side.
Speaking on BBC Sportscene’s live coverage of Thursday night’s second-leg clash, McCann hit out at Croatian international Barisic for some slack defending in the second half, something he thought was indicative of the 28-year-old’s game.
“That’s a brilliant chance,” McCann said. “Barisic is waving his hands about, he’s talking about the cross coming in too easily, that’s what he’s saying.
“But do your job, defend the back post, he goes inside, you sleep and he ends up pulling in your back and he actually should probably score, or at least make the goalkeeper work.
“But again, I’m looking at Barisic there, he should be defending the back post better than he did.”
Off the pace
Barisic looked far from his best as Rangers laboured to a stalemate in Armenia.
Perhaps that’s to be expected given he has sat out the last three fixtures with Calvin Bassey in his place, but better is expected of a seasoned international defender.
A COVID-19 crisis ensured Barisic was restored on Thursday night at the expense of Bassey, but he failed to produce an assured performance that will keep his place in the side once Bassey returns.
He looked slow and lethargic, a description that could be used for a few of his teammates, and that nearly cost the Gers on a couple of occasions.
Luckily, for all their endeavour, Alashkert lacked any real quality to put the tie in severe doubt.
Barisic did, however, pick up a yellow card in the closing stages of the game to sum up his night.
In other Rangers news, McCann also blasted another ‘Poor’ Light Blues ace v Alashkert.