Borna Barisic must be dragged off after Rangers stinker v Kilmarnock
Rangers got their season underway with a rather lacklustre 45 minutes against Kilmarnock on Saturday 05 August, and Borna Barisic must be sacrificed because of that.
The left-back had multiple poor performances during pre-season, as he was targeted throughout the game against Olympiacos and struggled to get a hold of his man as Rangers were dismissed 3-1 by the Greek outfit.
Left-back has been a problem position at Ibrox throughout pre-season, with both Barisic and Ridvan Yilmaz struggling, amid suggestions from journalists [The Scotsman, 27 July] that Barisic should be let go this summer with just one year remaining on his current contract.
The full-back was a fan-favourite in the 2021 title-winning side under Steven Gerrard but has recently looked a shadow of his former self off the back of a string of consistently poor performances, offering little going forward with inconsistent crossing and even less at the back.
It may be time for Rangers to finally pull the trigger on Barisic’s Ibrox career, as they did with both Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos after recognising their time was up, but if they can earn some incoming funds from his departure unlike the other two they will have done well.
Famed for his set-piece and crossing ability in the past, the game against Kilmarnock has been an example of his fall from grace, after more than five crosses failed to find their man, seeing some positive moves break down.
The Croatian could have had at least two assists had his crosses produced the required results, but with one sailing way over the bar while the other was fizzed straight into the hands of Will Dennis, Barisic and Rangers have both been left empty-handed.
It is certainly something for Michael Beale to ponder over the break.
In other Rangers news, BBC journalist has dropped ‘howitzer’ prediction for upcoming Old Firm derbies.