Rangers star benched by country as Euro 2020 challenge now firmly set

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Rangers star Borna Barisic was benched for Croatia in their agonising 3-2 defeat to Portugal in Split.

The Croats went down to 10 men but couldn’t hold on as Manchester City defender Ruben Dias scored a late winner to defeat the Balkans nation.

Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic had Croatia ahead at half-time but an early red card in the second half for Cagliari midfielder Marko Rog would swing the tie in Portugal’s favour.

Ex-Benfica man Ruben Dias would take near instant advantage touching home a rebound from a Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick.

Atletico Madrid man Joao Felix would then have Portugal in front less than 10 minutes later but Kovacic would haul Croatia back into the match after only five minutes.

But it wasn’t too be for a spirited Croatian side who conceded a late equaliser after goalkeeper Dominik Livaković fumbled the ball at the feet of Ruben Dias for his second.

Rangers fans might be happy to see that star man Barisic, 28, got a rest for this match but for the player himself he now has serious competition for the left-back berth with Croatia.

Barisic has not always been fancied by the Croatian fans and media and now finds himself competing for a place against Çaykur Rizespor’s Dario Melnjak and Lille’s Domagoj Bradaric.

Barisic has now started only three of the last eight Croatia internationals with Melnjak preferred in four and Bradaric coming into the side for the defeat to Portugal.

Whilst it is true that some of this has been impacted by injury, Barisic now faces clear competition for the left-back Croatia spot.

This could also be turned to Rangers advantage, with the full-back well aware he will need to be on top form heading into the summer to secure a first-team place at Euro 2020.