Antonio Colak and Borna Barisic plans revealed as Croatia overlook one Rangers player in World Cup squad

With the World Cup fast approaching, international Rangers players are learning whether or not they’ll be making the trip to Qatar next week.

Rangers have just two games remaining until the World Cup break, with the squad set to disperse after Saturday’s league clash against St Mirren.

International stars have been learning who will be making the trip to Qatar this week, and Borna Barisic and Antonio Colak will have both been waiting by the phone for potential call-ups to the Croatia squad.

Croatia announced their 26-man squad via Twitter on 9 November, but it was revealed that Colak was overlooked by manager Zlatko Dalic, while Barisic was named in the team.

It was a surprise omission from the squad considering Colak’s league-topping 11 goals for Rangers this season, although the 29-year-old has recently endured a drop in form.

Silver linings

Croatia overlooking Colak can go two ways. Either he’ll be keen to prove Dalic wrong for not choosing him, or his omission will knock his confidence even more.

Gers fans will likely sympathise with Colak over the decision, but the silver lining is that at least he’ll be fit and in peak condition for when league action returns in December.

Rangers

Giovanni van Bronckhorst will need Colak back to his best if he is to try and close the seven-point gap between Rangers and Celtic upon the resumption of the league.

Rangers have already announced a friendly with Bayer Leverkusen during the break to keep players fresh, and there will be plenty of work on the training ground to try and rectify the club’s torrid start to the season.

As for Barisic, it’s great to see Rangers represented in the Qatar tournament, and hopefully, he comes back from international duty with plenty of confidence and momentum.

In other Rangers news, Giovanni van Bronckhorst reacts when official partner suggests new signings at Ibrox