Rangers close to signing Osijek captain after European clashes

STEVEN GERRARD is set to clinch his 11th signing of the summer as Borna Barisic closes in on a move to Rangers.

The Croatian international featured in both legs of the Europa League second qualifying round tie with Osijek over the last fortnight and scored for the visitors at Ibrox last Thursday.

Barisic’s strike was not enough for Zoran Zekic’s side to progress, though, as a Nikola Katic header ensured Rangers won 2- 1 on aggregate.

Now the 25- year- old is poised to join up with Steven Gerrard’s squad and complete a move for a fee of around £ 2million on the eve of the third round s howdown aga i n s t Maribor.

Barisic was the star for Osijek during both of their matches with Rangers and will provide competition for Jon Flanagan at left- back once his Ibrox deal is finalised.

The defender has made

three appearances for Croatia and was named in their provisional squad for the World Cup in Russia this summer but did not make the final 23- man pool for the eventual tournament runners- up.

Boss Gerrard revealed last week that he was close to adding to his Rangers ranks once again and it is Barisic who will now be the next man to sign on the dotted line.

The full- back could be joined at Ibrox by Bournemouth defender Jack Simpson as Gerrard looks to add a third central defender to his squad following the arrivals of Katic and Connor Goldson earlier in the summer.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe is an admirer of the 21- year- old, who has impressed during pre- season preparations for the new Premier League campaign.

But he could be allowed to leave on loan and Gerrard is keen to strike a deal to give him another option at the heart of his defence.

At the other end of the park, a move for striker Kyle Lafferty remains in the pipeline but there has been no further progress after Hearts rejected a £ 200,000 bid last week.

The arrival of Barisic at Ibrox casts further doubt over the long- term future of former club captain Lee Wallace, while Declan John could also be set to head for the Ibrox exit door.

John moved to Glasgow from Cardiff City last summer before putting pen- to- paper on a three- and- a- half year deal during the January window.

He could be set for a quickfire return to his homeland, however, with Championship side Swansea one of the clubs interested.