Rangers boss Michael Beale has been discussing the return of Croatia World Cup semi-finalist Borna Barisic – and allayed fears about the player’s fitness after the tournament.
Barisic, 30, only played once at the Qatari tournament with the Croatia international playing the full 120 minutes in a penalty kicks Last 16 victory over Japan.
But despite the minimal involvement in the Middle East the defender was still out claiming that he was exhausted from the tournament after his return to Croatia.
“I wore myself out to the maximum – both physically and mentally,” said Borna Barisic, in an ominous message about his fitness.
Michael Beale claims Borna Barisic in “positive” place
Michael Beale has had to answer questions on the comments previously and the Ibrox manager was in wily mood as he discussed the player returning.
Speaking ahead of Rangers’ clash with Motherwell, Michael Beale talked up the condition of Borna Barisic and hinted that the Ibrox full-back was raring to go after his trip with the World Cup semi-finalists.
“[Borna] arrived back yesterday. He trained today and looked in a great place,” said Beale [Rangers].
“He’s just had a big experience again getting to another semi-final in his first World Cup.
“He’s come back in a really positive place. We are slowly but surely getting back to where we need to be. It’s the biggest group of players that I have had since I returned in terms of training.”
That’s certainly in contrast to Borna Barisic returning post-Christmas in poor condition and let’s hope the Rangers full-back can go on to have an impact in the coming weeks.
Rangers are decidedly thin on the ground in a number of areas with left-back one of them, Borna’s absence intensifying an injury to summer signing Ridvan Yilmaz.
Not that Borna won’t have competition; does the Academy prospect whose currently in his place make the XI v Motherwell?
