Rangers defender Borna Barišić given damning World Cup verdict by Euro media
Rangers defender Borna Barisic has been given a damning World Cup verdict ahead of Croatia’s first group-stage game against Morocco on 23 November 2022.
Barisic was picked to be part of the Croatia national team for the upcoming World Cup but it seems he may play little to no part in the tournament.
Euro media outlet total Croatia news described the starting XI Barisic was part of in the country’s final warm-up game against Saudi Arabia as the “reserves”.
“Coach Zlatko Dalić started this match with Croatia’s reserves. As announced, Dalić chose a mixed lineup, mostly with players who will not start against Morocco next week,” as quoted by Total Croatia News.
This may actually be good news for the Gers, the defender clearly had an injury issue in the fixture, only adding to the club’s current worries.
All good.
Despite hobbling around at times, it seems Barisic is all good to go, although his World Cup playing chances may still be quite limited.
“There is no injury,” Barisic told Croatian news outlet HRT as quoted by the Daily Record.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst will be counting his lucky stars here, he and Rangers can ill afford any more injuries to their already savaged squad.
Barisic will still have to avoid injury if he gets the chance to play in the FIFA World Cup.
Fortunately for van Bronckhorst, Barisic is the only Rangers player taking part in the FIFA World Cup, so the break can be used to revitalise his squad.
It really couldn’t have come at a better time for the Dutchman who is hanging onto a thread to keep his job at Ibrox.
However, it looks like the Gers hierarchy will back him until the season restarts, much to the frustration of Rangers fans.
It would have been the perfect time to replace him whilst the mini World Cup break was taking place, nevertheless, it seems Rangers are risking this one.
In other Rangers news, Martin O’Neill offers Giovanni van Bronckhorst sympathy at Rangers as ‘money talks’