Borna Barisic and Nikola Katic are both injured ahead of a crucial international break.
The Croatian national team has sent out a tweet confirming that Katic has pulled out of their under-21 squad. There was no confirmation about what the problem was, but it is believed to be an injury. Katic has been making good progress with the Croatia under-21s, and therefore this is a big blow on a personal level for the player.
The Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic also touched on the injury to Barisic. The left-back has had to pull out of the senior squad to face England with a muscular injury. The seriousness of the situation is yet to be revealed for both players, but Rangers fans will want them both back as soon as possible.
Speaking to vecernji.hr, Dalic said the following regarding his injury problems:
“Situation is not good. Marcelo Brozovic did not play on Sunday for Inter. Borna Barišić has a rupture of muscle. Ivan Santini still has a great crank on his leg since the game with Dinamo. Lovre Kalinić has big problems with his knee.”
Omissions explained
Many Rangers fans will have been questioning why the pair haven’t been playing for them recently. Whilst Katic has still been fit enough to make the substitutes in recent weeks, Joe Worrall has taken his place.
Barisic, however, has been out with a hamstring injury. This wasn’t something revealed by the club, and it appears his injury against Livingston is worse than first feared. Whether the full-back is available to take part after the international break remains to be seen.
Katic hasn’t featured since the Betfred Cup quarter-final win against Ayr United. The centre-back put in a solid enough shift but his place in the first team has been lost regardless. Worrall hasn’t particularly impressed, but Gerrard appears to like him. Question marks can be asked of why Katic has suddenly been dropped, and only the Rangers manager will know.
The injuries could see the likes of Gareth McAuley and Lee Wallace handed the chance to shine. McAuley is still building up his fitness, but won’t have a better chance than now to take Katic’s place. He, however, also hasn’t been picked for his country.
Wallace, meanwhile, is apparently the subject of a bid from Wigan Athletic. For now, however, the left-back will be concentrating on making sure he’s on Rangers’ bench in a couple of week’s time.
