By Saikat Mandal

16th Apr, 2022 | 11:30pm

Rangers defender Borna Barisic shares what GvB has told him recently

Borna Barisic was outstanding for Rangers in midweek as the Gers won 3-1 against Braga in the Europa League.

The left-back has struggled for regular games, but he was given a chance against St Mirren last week. He was superb in that match as the Bears won 4-0.

Barisic was taken off towards the end of the game, and the defender has revealed that he just couldn’t continue with cramp problems.

He has also shared what Giovanni van Bronckhorst has told him recently.

“I felt that ten to 15 minutes before the 90 and I tried to play to the end – but I couldn’t anymore,” he told the Scottish Daily Mail (16 April, page 118).

“It is probably because I haven’t played for a long time.

“Play like that last Sunday, that was what the manager said to me. When I wasn’t playing I just wanted to keep training and doing my best because I knew my opportunity would come.”

Superb

Barisic was rightly criticised heavily for his shambolic performance against Celtic earlier this season.

The left-back suffered a dip in confidence as a result and looked like a shadow of the player he was under Steven Gerrard.

However, after the injury to Alfredo Morelos, Van Bronckhorst was left with a little option rather than change his system.

The Dutchman had to find a way to get the best of Kemar Roofe, and that is where Barisic came into play.

Barisic loves to deliver crosses into the box, and has developed an instant connection with Roofe upfront.

His performance against Braga was top-notch, and arguably his best this season. If he continues this form, he is most likely to start regularly till the end of the season.

In other Rangers news, a BBC pundit has been left in awe of the Gers’ Europa League journey after their Braga win.