The form of Borna Barisic has been the subject of much debate amongst Rangers fans, but they need only compare the Croatian to cult icon Sasa Papac to see players need time to come good.
That’s not where the similarities between the duo end either. Sasa Papac, a Bosnian, comes from the same Balkans region as Croatian wingback Barisic.
Both are left backs, both are highly revered in their country, and both, as we’re seeing, struggled to settle in Scotland in season one. But let’s hope the similarities don’t end there.
Papac was signed as part of Paul le Guen’s Rangers revolution. He, like Borna, joined as part of an influx from one club. Papac from Austria Vienna and Barisic from NK Osijek.
He struggled to settle into the new look side and his first season was a bit of a write off. Being fair, so was almost the entire Rangers squad’s.
Sasa Papac is a much-loved figure at Rangers
But from the next year, Papac was a vital part of Walter Smith’s three-in-a-row winning side. A dependable, consistent, passionate option at left back, he remains a cult hero to the Rangers support.
He ended up playing over 200 games, staying at Ibrox for six years and winning eight trophies with the club.
It shows with just a little patience Rangers investment in Croatian football could yet pay off. Besides, Barisic can’t be terrible if he’s proving his worth as the first-choice left back in a squad of World Cup finalists.
His most recent performance and goal has earned him rave reviews in his home country. And proved Rangers are better off retaining his services rather than moving for other reported targets. There’s a good player there and we know it.
The attack minded Barisic might be a slightly different style of footballer to the more reserved Papac, but Gers fans would do well to look to the Bosnian’s example before writing Barisic off.
