Steven Gerrard has hit out at the Croatian Football Federation, as quoted by the Daily Record.
Rangers left-back, Borna Barisic, picked up an injury whilst away on international duty.
He will now miss Sunday afternoon’s Old Firm, with Andy Halliday likely to deputise.
However, the manager suggests that had the situation been handled differently, the 26-year-old may have been available after all.
“It’s disappointing because he should be available”, said Gerrard, as quoted by
the Daily Record.
“He had a small chance but we never got him back until a couple of days later, for whatever reason.
“We pay the players’ wages. Out of respect for the club, he should be on the first flight back and our medical team should take over.
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“We’ll change the rules for all our players from the summer. If you’re not on the next flight, you are going to leave yourself wide open to a punishment.”
Analysis
These comments from the manager suggest that a fit Barisic may have been involved after all.
Either way, it’s understandable that he’s frustrated by how things have played out here.
Rangers’ international stars were all sent away in good faith, but it appears the Croatian FF had no consideration for his club side.
In a way, though, a positive can be taken out of this.
Barisic has been plagued with injury woes since arriving at Ibrox, but the manager’s comments suggest this one isn’t serious.
Hopefully, the former Osijek man will be back in action before too long.
