Borna Barisic may be Rangers doubt v Motherwell, set to jet out of Scotland
Rangers left-back Borna Barisic could be a doubt to feature against Motherwell on Saturday (18 March), with the left-back on standby to fly out of Scotland and be with his wife for the birth of their first child, according to the Scottish Daily Mail.
The Croatian international has become a permanent fixture for Michael Beale since his arrival at Ibrox as manager, starting every Scottish Premiership game for the Englishman and already picking up seven assists this season.
However, Beale could be forced to turn to Ridvan Yilmaz at left-back against Motherwell, with Barisic ready to fly home to Croatia on a temporary leave if any news on the birth of his child reaches Ibrox.
“There is every chance that their way may be threatened by a figure bolting towards the exit door en route to Glasgow Airport,” the Scottish Daily Mail wrote (Tuesday, 14 March, page 67).
“With his wife Anja awaiting the birth of their first child – a boy – back home in Croatia, father-to-be Borna Barisic’s existence in the coming days will be one of limbo.
“That makes his availability to feature against Motherwell on Saturday far from certain.”
Blow
The 2022/23 season, Barisic’s fifth at Ibrox, has potentially been his most successful, despite Rangers starting off their campaign in a pretty tame fashion.
His consistent attacking returns all season long are hard to argue against, and not having him in the side to face Motherwell could be a huge blow.
If the Croatian does go on temporary leave, Beale will be pleased in the knowledge that he has a perfectly able understudy in Yilmaz. The Turkish defender got 21 minutes of action against Raith Rovers last time out, which was his first piece of first-team action since October.
Whether Yilmaz is ready to start from the very first whistle is still questionable, but it was certainly a step in the right direction for the 21-year-old, who signed for the club from Besiktas last year.
The only other option which the Englishman could call upon in Barisic’s absence would be youngster Adam Devine. However, having amassed just a single minute of Scottish Premiership action this side of the New Year, there will be question marks hanging over his ability to hit the ground running if thrown into the starting line-up.
In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton took another wild swing at the club while live on BT Sport.