Rangers striker Antonio Colak has now opened up on his conversations with Borna Barisic on playing for Croatia at the World Cup. Zlatko Dalic snubbed the Ibrox ace for his side in Qatar.
It was Dalic who handed Colak his Vatreni debut in November 2020. But he left the 29-year-old at home for the 22nd edition of FIFA’s quadrennial tournament. Barisic, meanwhile, had nothing more than a fringe role as their Balkan nation took the bronze medal in third place.
Barisic only featured in Croatia’s Round of 16 win over Japan on penalties after coming into the starting line-up. Dalic otherwise left the 30-year-old as an unused substitute in favour of VfB Stuttgart star Borna Sosa. Ivan Perisic also started at left-back in the third-place play-off.
Dalic snubbing Colak for his World Cup squad ensured the Rangers striker’s wait to return to the Croatia fold continued. The Ludwigsburg, Germany-born star earned the last of his three caps to date in September 2021. Dalic has never called Colak up for any Croatia team since.
Even though Colak has enjoyed a remarkable maiden campaign at Rangers as a teammate of Croatia star Barisic. The striker joined the Gers from Greek side PAOK last July for £1.8m plus add-ons under Giovanni van Bronckhorst. He has since scored 14 goals in 29 appearances.
Colak now opens up on his conversations with Rangers star Barisic about representing Croatia
Colak has also offered Rangers two assists alongside the Croatia outcast’s 11 goals during 18 Premiership outings, starting 15. He missed the Glasgow giants’ final top-flight match ahead of the World Cup due to a minor injury. He also missed the four after it with a calf problem.
Now, being a part of the Croatia squad going forward drives Colak to deliver for Rangers and he has discussed what life under boss Dalic was like with Barisic. But he also admits that the striker’s chances of earning an international recall depend on what he produces at Rangers.
“I am happy for Croatia for what they achieved for such a small country,” Colak said, via quotes by The Glasgow Times. “To get another medal is unbelievable success and great work. I hope I can be a part of that in the future.
“I watched Borna and the other players do so well and they are all friends of mine, so I was happy for them. If they win, I am happy and if they lose, I am disappointed.
“To be part of that in the future depends on my performances for Rangers. I listened to Borna and the stories to get some inside information of what it was like. It’s always fun to hear what it was like.”
