First impressions of Philippe Clement are positive in that the new Rangers manager speaks honestly and clearly but one comment in his first press conference could have an impact on Borna Barisic.
The Croatia international now has 35-caps after this break, starting both fixtures for his country despite coming under fire for his display against Turkey.
A defeat to Wales will have done little to restore faith in his ability with Philippe Clement claiming in his opening press conference that he is wanting the type of player for Rangers that Borna Barisic has never been.
Is Rangers bench waiting for Borna Barisic?
The tactical difference between Barisic and Ridvan Yilmaz is pretty clear.
The latter makes more mistakes, but he makes them because he takes more risks and is more adventurous.
The young Turk tries to take players on, makes runs behind the opposition defence and looks to play passes through the lines.
The opposite can be said when Borna Barisic starts for Rangers and Clement, via Rangers TV, has a word of warning:
“It is about putting the right goals towards games and the right things they have to do and I want players who are also not afraid to fail and make mistakes because that is part of football.
“There is not one team in the world who are perfect in everything they do but they react correctly to mistakes.”
Ridvan, if he misplaces a pass, doesn’t let his head go down, he tries to win the ball back and keeps looking to be attack minded.
We have all seen Rangers performances in recent years when Borna Barisic looked scared to go forward and the opening day defeat against Kilmarnock was a perfect example.
Too often he takes the easy option, goes back to the centre-halves or plays a hopeful cross from deep with nobody to aim for.
Barisic remains one of the finest crossers of the ball around but if he doesn’t get high enough up the pitch and is constantly looking over his shoulder, what is the point?
We have been too safe for years, in midfield in particular, more players like Ridvan who fit Clement’s ethos are needed if we are to rid ourselves of the failures of the past.
