There’s been plenty made about Rangers’ abject failure to get a proper player trading model up and running in Glasgow.
Rangers had the opportunity to build forward in their hands after Steven Gerrard successfully guided the Ibrox club to a legendary 55th title.
But a failure to move on several of that team’s number at their peak, and apprehension about post-COVID investment, has come back to haunt the Ibrox club.
Now, Rangers’ stunning failure to move players on at the right moment has been exemplified in Turkey, as Borna Barisic reportedly gets ready for the chop.
Rangers failed to sell Borna Barisic at peak
There was a moment when Borna Barisic boasted genuine value to Rangers both on and off the park.
The Croatian international left-back, who is now 32, initially struggled to settle in Glasgow but eventually found his feet and form under Steven Gerrard.
A relentless, athletic and disciplined left-back with a wand of a left foot, at Barisic’s peak the Croatia international look destined for the top of the game.
There was a moment when there was Premier League interest from Tottenham Hotspur mooted, whilst chatter surrounding Serie A sides Napoli and AS Roma was never too far away.
But as things transpired, Rangers held on to Barisic for far too long and the left-back left for nothing this summer, joining Turkish outfit Trabzonspor.
Needless to say, it has not gone to plan in Turkey.
Second ex-Rangers star to suffer chop in Turkey
Making just one Super Lig start this season – the opening day draw with Sivasspor – Barisic was part of the Trabzonspor team
who crashed out of the UEFA Conference League qualifiers.
Since then, Barisic has made four substitute appearances with the last three making up a combined four minutes.
Now, according to reports in the Daily Record which cite unconfirmed Turkish sources, the left-back’s agent has been summoned to the Trabzonspor hierarchy to negotiate a mutual termination of contract.
The news comes after Fenerbahce released former Rangers winger Ryan Kent from his contract in Istanbul.
The Turkish giants signed the ex-Liverpool star in similar circumstances, with Rangers failing to cash in amid interest from Leeds United and eventually releasing Kent for nothing.
Adding insult to injury after years of disastrous squad management, should Barisic experience a similar fate it will only serve to highlight the incompetence of the Rangers leadership in recent seasons.
It is also a reminder that as Philippe Clement rebuilds the Ibrox squad from a static position, the club must be a revolving door to maximise the club’s buying and selling potential.
Why?
Because after players reach their peak, they very rarely maintain it or return to it.
