BBC pundit Jermaine Jenas makes ‘big problem’ claim on Rangers defender Borna Barisic for Croatia
Borna Barisic was “nervous” as the Rangers defender struggled in his first appearance at the World Cup for Croatia, according to Jermaine Jenas.
In the 20th minute of the last-16 clash, as Junya Ito burned the Gers left-back down the outside before putting a ball into the box that Celtic forward Daizen Maeda couldn’t get on the end of, Jenas highlighted that Barisic had a “big problem”.
With Borna Sosa ruled out by an illness Barisic made his World Cup debut, but was under a lot of pressure during a first half where they went behind through the Hoops man, with only the fact that his side grew into the ascendency after the break saving him from a greater examination.
Speaking on the live BBC commentary during the first half on Monday afternoon (5 December, 3.20pm) Jenas said: “He’s got a big problem, Barisic.
“Everytime Ito runs at him he can’t get anywhere near him. Too quick, too sharp. It’s just simple as well, push it by him and whip a ball into the box.”
In the 42nd minute he added: “You can see when he picks it up that Barisic is nervous.”
Familiar
Although he has a fantastic delivery into the box and is always available in support going forward, it won’t be a major surprise to most Rangers fans to hear about defensive weaknesses from their starting left-back.
Elevated back to the number one spot following the departure of Calvin Bassey in the summer, the 30-year-old has been inconsistent.
And his worrying tendency to have bad games in Old Firm derbies will be something that new boss Michael Beale will need to work on.
Ridvan Yilmaz was signed to replace Bassey prior to the season but amid injury and underuse has been a major disappointment so far.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s departure may open the door for the Turk to assume a more important role, if Beale isn’t satisfied with what Barisic is producing.
But having worked together before, the managerial change may in fact cement the senior man’s place in the line-up.
A start in the knock-out rounds of the World Cup is nothing to be sniffed at for a member of the Ibrox playing staff, but the same difficulties that are often on show in the SPFL won’t have inspired a huge amount of confidence.
In other Rangers news, another player that Beale has history with has already asked to be sold.