One quick look on Rangers social media last night was all it took to see that fans are wanting Borna Barisic dropped for Ridvan Yilmaz.
The experienced defender look shot of confidence from the first whistle, literally, when he turned back into an opponent instead of driving into the space ahead of him with his first touch of the game.
It didn’t get much better either and the Rangers manager has to make a decision as to whether to stick with Borna Barisic or give Ridvan Yilmaz the chance he deserves, with little clarity given in his post-match press conference, as reported by This is Ibrox.
Rangers need to decide between Borna Barisic and Ridvan Yilmaz
Ridvan looks more positive in possession and a better fit for the system that Michael Beale is trying to play, however, the gaffer was quick to point out that the young Turk also needs to work on aspects of his game.
When asked for his thoughts on Rangers left-hand side of defence that was a problem all night against Olympiacos, and the issues with Barisic and Ridvan, he said:
“I thought their right-back was very good. Borna started the game slow but Ridvan needs to look at the third goal as well so both can do better.
“The boys trained hard into the game and I get as soon as we play everyone wants it to look shiny and fantastic but we’ll be ok.”
Borna Barisic had a nightmare.
A genuine 3/10 performance and even that is generous.
Beale is being kind to say that he started slowly because he never, really, got any better.
The Croatia international could have done better at Olympiacos’ first two goals and he offered nothing in attack, his younger positional rival has an excuse given his inexperience but Barisic is making the same mistakes year, after year.
The contrast to Ridvan was immediately clear when, straight after coming on, he drove into the midfield and created the best chance of the night for Sam Lammers.
Neither full-back are perfect but one of them has a history of disappearing in games and slowing attacks down.
If Rangers are to get the style of football that Michael Beale wants, there should only be one choice between Barisic and Ridvan for the trip to Kilmarnock.
