Philippe Clement wouldn’t have been expecting to make a substitute just 10 minutes into his career as Rangers manager when Borna Barisic had to be replaced by Ridvan Yilmaz against Hibernian.
The Croatian international pulled up with almost his first touch of the game and could be seen rubbing his thigh before the first minute was out, Clement far from happy with what he saw.
The Rangers boss will now be sweating on the left-back’s availability given that when Michael Beale named his Europa League squad, Borna Barisic was the only specialist included.
Rangers sweating on Borna Barisic fitness after squad blunder
Adam Devine, Dujon Sterling and Ben Davies can all cover but they are either not a natural left-back or a natural left footer.
Hardly ideal for a key Europa League game against Sparta Prague.
Speaking after Rangers 4-0 win over Hibernian, Clement gave an update on the fitness of Borna Barisic, via Rangers TV:
“Tomorrow morning we will look at how everybody comes in and how they have come out of this game.
“I was not happy after ten minutes that I need to change the team already.
“With Borna Barisic coming off, it is what it is. We will see in the next couple of days how it goes.”
Michael Beale made the decision not to include Ridvan Yilmaz based on a short-term injury issue, relying solely on Barisic.
Sterling is versatile but it changes Rangers game plan massively with a defence minded right-back playing on the other flank.
Adam Devine hasn’t kicked a ball either which leaves Ben Davies as the best option.
Davies has his flaws but he is comfortable on the ball, he also might not be the fastest but he certainly isn’t any slower than Barisic.
Ridvan looked better suited to Philippe Clement’s idea but Rangers still have four Europa League games to go and Borna Barisic will be needed even if he isn’t the future of the position.
