Borna Barisic was once again the difference maker for Rangers in the final third as he found a telling pass for Jermain Defoe which gave the Gers a crucial 1-0 win against St. Mirren after the winter break. It was against St. Mirren that Barisic managed to change his fortunes this season as he scored from a free-kick with a delightful finish. Ever since then, he has been a changed player for Rangers and has played with immense confidence.
His impressive form hasn’t gone unnoticed, and Serie A heavyweights AS Roma are said to be interested (Daily Record) in the Croatian defender. However, Gerrard recently indicated that a deal to get Barisic on a new contract is getting closer.
This will undoubtedly be delightful news for Rangers in what has been a quiet transfer window in terms of incoming players.
Gerrard gives contract update
The Gers boss said, ”We are in talks, so it is getting closer as the days go by. I am confident because the boy is happy. I have a fantastic relationship with Borna, and he seems really settled here. He took a bit of time to settle, but he has got the fans right where you want them. He is getting the support from the terraces his performances deserve. When you are happy as a footballer, you should stay put.”
Barisic’s impact so far
The 27-year-old has made 28 appearances in all competitions this season, and he has grabbed a whopping 14 assists to go with his two goals so far. Croatia’s national team manager Zlatko Dalic has already claimed that Barisic is his first choice left-back right now. Mind you Croatia played the World Cup finals in 2018 and becoming the first choice left-back for them is undoubtedly an achievement.
His crossing and attacking outlet have been impressive but what has impressed us this season is his ability to go into committed challenges and take a few knocks. Last season, the fullback seemed a bit too soft and was struggling with injuries as well. Barisic has clearly worked on the physical side to his game, and he looks much more robust while going into duels.
It is no surprise that Barisic is close to getting a new deal. Quite a few players have improved since Steven Gerrard took over and one of them is definitely Barisic who was pretty average in his first season. A good Euros and a new contract for the defender would push his price up in the transfer market, and Rangers should soon look to tie him down.
