BBC pundits furious after what Borna Barisic was spotted doing in Rangers v Servette, ‘it’s incredible’
Neil McCann and Alan Hutton were left furious at a decision made by Rangers defender Borna Barisic in the Champions League third-round qualifier against Servette FC.
The pundits raged during the BBC Scotland half-time analysis (08:24pm) at the Croatian left-backs decision to stand with his hand in the air and play offside instead of tracking back with his man.
That left forward Jeremy Guillemenot free in the box as his teammate Dereck Kutesa went through on goal, but fortunately for Barisic, the left winger decided to have a shot instead of squaring it and Jack Butland pulled off a fine save to tip it around the post.
“We thought this was offside, but you’ll see he’s on,” said McCann. “Look at Barisic – it’s incredible, honestly. Look at Barisic here at the halfway line. Watch him with his hand up.”
Hutton then followed up by saying: “If you’re not sure in that area, you run back. It’s that time where anything can happen. Don’t stop and put your hand up. Barisic needs to read it.”
Lucky escape
The Swiss winger Kutesa did initially look offside during the build-up, but the replays revealed that he was actually in his own half before being played through on goal.
If he had picked his head up and laid the ball across to Guillemenot, then the Swiss forward would’ve had an open goal to put his side two goals ahead and make it a long way back for Rangers.
The pundits are right to be furious about Barisic’s involvement in the situation as he was initially out of position and threw a lazy arm up before eventually deciding to track back.
The Croatian was extremely lucky that Kutesa made the wrong decision by deciding to shoot because it would’ve been an error that there would’ve been no real defending.
It’s surprising that a player with as much experience as the 30-year-old would make such a basic error as he has probably been taught from a young age to play on until you hear the referee’s whistle.
It could have been costly, but he’ll be glad it didn’t turn out that way.
In other Rangers news, the club have been urged to sign a winger that would provide something different to Michael Beale’s squad.