Rangers: Chris Sutton predicts Borna Barisic to be given ‘torrid’ time by Celtic attacker in Old Firm derby
Chris Sutton believes Rangers defender Borna Barisic will be given a “torrid time” by Celtic’s Sead Haksabanovic in the upcoming Old Firm derby.
Michael Beale’s side will square off against the Hoops at Hampden Park this Sunday (30 April) in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup.
The Gers have failed to beat their fierce rivals since the Scottish Cup victory last April, losing three of the last four encounters against Ange Postecolgou’s side.
Speaking on The Record Podcast (26 April), Sutton predicted that Barisic could be vulnerable to Celtic unless he is given the correct defensive cover by his teammates.
“I think that Barisic is there to be got at and attacked in one on one situations,” he said.
“And that’s Haksabanovic’s strength. So I actually think that he has a decent future at Celtic. Things haven’t worked out for various reasons. Injuries, Maeda ahead of him and Jota ahead of him and Abda ahead of him at times.
“Celtic have good competition in those wide areas. So this is a real opportunity for him. Because as I say, in those one on one situations, I think he has the ability to give Barisic a really torrid time.
“Rangers will have to make sure that Barisic has help, whether it’s from a holding midfielder or Davies at left-centre half.
“They’ll have to be switched on because Haksabanovic does have the beating of Barisic.”
Tough test
Celtic’s front line has been in mesmerising form so far this season, but Postecolgou is currently sweating on the fitness of Reo Hatate, Jota and Liel Abada. (Glasgow Evening Times, 25 April)
Despite this though, Haksabanovic is still waiting in the wings and ready to take the game to Rangers at Hampden if called upon.
Barisic certainly hasn’t had the best time of late, and he will be up against it whatever front line the Hoops decide to start the game with.
Hopefully, the return of Connor Goldson at centre-back can have a calming effect on the whole of Beale’s backline and aid the Croatian international down the left flank.
This Old Firm derby really is a huge match for Barisic, considering he has just over 12 months remaining on his contract, and the club has yet to offer an extension.
How he performs against Celtic could go a long way to deciding his Rangers future.