Jurica Vranjes heaps praise on Borna Barisic as Rangers defender ‘key’ to Crotia’s success
Jurica Vranjes has heaped praise on Borna Barisic describing the Rangers defender as “key” to Croatia’s win over Armenia in Euro 2024 qualifying.
The 30-year-old played the full 90 minutes in Monday’s (11 September) 1-0 win, impressing at left-back as Zlatko Dalic’s side moved top of Group D and above Turkey on goal difference as they became one step closer to next summer’s tournament.
Vranjes who made 24 appearances for the Croatian national team singled out Barisic as one the most important players in the national side, suggesting that alongside Man City’s Josko Gvardiol, Tottenham’s Ivan Perisic and Feyenoord’s Luka Ivausec, they were part of the best left-flank in Europe.
Speaking with Net.HR (11 September), Vranjes said: “In my opinion, the key to the victory was that Borna Barisic played at left back because he works much better with Perisic. That’s what I saw in When Borna plays with Perisic on the left side, and with Ivanusec who replaced Mateo Kovacic, we have a great national team.
“Borna Barisic has been playing at a serious level for years in Glasgow.”
Bring it to Glasgow
Like so many of Rangers’ players in the early stages of the campaign, Barisic has struggled to perform to a consistently high standard, putting in some up-and-down performances for the Light Blues as they’ve made a stuttering start to the season.
But his performances with the national side as part of the so-called greatest left-side in Europe suggest that he is capable of improving his level of performance domestically and still being a key player for Rangers for the remainder of this season.
Michael Beale will then have a decision to make next summer, as the 30-year-old’s contract expires at Ibrox and Ridvan Yilmaz waiting in the wings for his opportunity in the Gers’ back-line, it is unclear whether or not Barisic will remain in Glasgow.
While the Croatian isn’t getting any younger, should he be able to replicate his international performances when he returns to Ibrox this week he may well play his way into a new contract. After all, with pressure rising on Beale, there is nothing he needs more than consistent performers.
In other Rangers news, Ianis Hagi’s international displays may have proven Beale was right to let him leave Ibrox