Borna Barisic is coming in for criticism after the Rangers left-back struggled during Croatia’s 2-1 European Championship qualifier defeat to Wales over the weekend.
Just one month ago, things were looking a damn sight rosier in Croatia’s garden. Rangers‘ own Borna Barisic set up a goal in a 5-0 hammering of Latvia before impressing in another victory over Armenia, his combinations with Ivan Perisic and Josko Gvardiol leading one former Croatia star to label Zlatko Dalic’s left-hand flank the ‘best in Europe’.
Just four weeks on, successive reverses at the hands of Turkey and Wales have elicited a very different reaction to Barisic’s performance. The zip and the creativity which usually characterises his game non-existent as Croatia slipped to third in Group D following a Harry Wilson masterclass in Cardiff.
Borna Barisic struggles as Croatia lose to Wales
“Barisic wouldn’t theoretically play for me (if I were in charge of Croatia),” veteran coach Ivan Pudra told Slobodna Dalmacija after that Wales loss. “Of the 15 passes he received, he returned ten back to Gvardiol.
“These two defeats are not the end of the world, but everyone needs to get serious.”
Barisic was hauled off before the hour in the Welsh capital. A player renowned for his pinpoint deliveries from the left-hand side managing just one cross in 59 minutes before his early substitution (WhoScored).
Barisic is facing a growing threat for his starting spot at club level too, Ridvan Yilmaz belatedly making his mark a year-and-a-half on from his arrival from Turkish giants Besiktas.
Rangers future uncertain
Rangers legend Kris Boyd, meanwhile, has been left wondering why Rangers did not look to move on from Barisic over the summer, a player now on the wrong side of 30 set to become a free-agent in less than 12 months’ time.
“Barisic struggled again,” Boyd told the Scottish Sun after that insipid 2-1 Europa League defeat at Aris Limassol.
“And you wonder why Rangers didn’t accept an offer for him when there was interest in him in recent windows.
“Like many of the established players, he is in a comfort zone because he knows the new signings aren’t up to it.”
