Rangers: Antonio Colak international career compared to Chris Sutton after Croatia World Cup snub
Rangers striker Antonio Colak is in the same boat as Chris Sutton after being snubbed by Croatia for the Qatar World Cup, with the clock now ticking on his international career, according to the Scottish Daily Mail.
Colak has been in fine goalscoring form since completing his transfer from PAOK to Ibrox last summer, scoring 13 goals and providing three assists in 21 appearances.
However, this was not enough for the 29-year-old to be warranted a spot in Croatia’s World Cup squad, and the striker now faces the prospect of following in the footsteps of former Celtic forward Sutton, who, despite scoring 63 goals in 120 games at Hampden Park, was only awarded one international cap for England.
John McGarry wrote for the Scottish Daily Mail (Thursday, 16 March, page 82) wrote: “Having started his first season at Rangers in impressive goalscoring form, the forward was entitled to fancy his chances of adding to the three Croatia caps he’s already won when manager Zlatko Dalic named his squad for the World Cup last year.
“Unfortunately, his form in the Premiership didn’t seem to count for much when the final party was named via video link.
“Colak hasn’t yet given up all hope of playing for Croatia at a major tournament but, at the age of 29, the clock is ticking.”
Tough to take
Colak was extremely unlucky not to be awarded a ticket for the Qatar World Cup, however, his inconsistent minutes at the beginning of the season may have played a role in the choice.
With Alfredo Morelos and the Croatian both fighting for the same spot in Rangers’ starting line-up, it was always going to be unlikely that Colak was going to start in every single game.
However, with his Colombian counterpart now likely to seal an Ibrox exit at the end of the season due to an expiring contract, it could be the former PAOK players’ time to step up and stake his claim for a regular starting spot next season.
In recent weeks, Michael Beale looks to have been turning to Colak more and more often to deliver the goods, and so far, the striker has not disappointed.
Despite not being the most fluent attacker in terms of build-up play, he knows how to find the back of the net with deadly potency, and that is something he may hope gets him back on the international stage.
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