Borna Barisic’s return to club duty is nearing, but he shouldn’t just waltz back into the side.
The Croatian international has been troubled by a knee complaint in recent weeks. It occurred before the last international break, and he’s failed to appear for Rangers ever since.
Steven Gerrard has finally confirmed, however, that his big signing from NK Osijek is “very close” to a return. It still remains to be seen, however, whether the left-back is fit for this Saturday’s visit of Livingston.
If he is, however, he shouldn’t be able to just walk straight back into the team. That’s because the performances of Andy Halliday in the same position have been so solid.
The Rangers die hard has been aggressive, defensively sound, and full of confidence over the last couple of months. Switching to his not unfamiliar left-back role, the former Livingston and Bradford City man has been thriving.
Gerrard had a spell where Jon Flanagan looked like being the number two left-back. Halliday’s performances, however, have seen him leap over the former Liverpool man in that regard.
There needs to be a battle
Yet there’s an assumption that Barisic will just get tossed in when fit. In truth, he has to earn his place off of the in-form Halliday first. The Scottish utility man has done nothing wrong since being given the jersey last month.
He’s appeared in five of Rangers’ matches in between the two international breaks. In the majority of them, the opposition have often been forced to try and work down James Tavernier’s side. This is down to how solid Halliday has been down the left.
Barisic certainly adds more in an attacking sense, and has a terrific overlap and cross on him. It wouldn’t be best for morale, however, if players are just going to get given their jersey back without a fight.
Barisic’s last appearance for Rangers actually came all the way back in the 1-0 loss at Livingston in September. It’s been a while since the Croatian has featured in a full 90 minutes.
It doesn’t, therefore, send the greatest of messages to Halliday if he was to be thrown back in without any form of competition.
Despite the fact Barisic is closing in on a return to fitness, Halliday should continue operating in his position for now.
