Barisic in Glasgow for medical as Rangers appeal Morelos red
Rangers are expected to announce the £2 million signing of Osijek captain Borna Barisic today – and are hoping for a double boost after lodging an appeal against Alfredo Morelos’ Pittodrie red card.
Ibrox manager Steven Gerrard was wowed by Barisic’s displays against his side during their recent Europa League clashes. The Croatia international was the stand- out performer from Zoran Zekic’s side as they pushed R angers close before losing 2-1 on aggregate.
Now G err a rd has ordered director of football Mark Allen to rush through a deal for the 25- year-old full-back. Bar i sic was in Glasgow yesterday afternoon for a medical and Rangers hope to confirm an agreement for their 11th summer signing
imminently. If Barisic – who was part of Croatia’s 32- man pre-World Cup squad but missed the cut for Russia – does complete his move, he will compete with Jon Flanagan for the left-back slot.
But it will likely spell the end of Lee Wallace and Declan John’s Ibrox careers, with reports suggesting Swansea are set to offer Welsh international John, pictured below, the chance of a return to the principality.
Meanwhile, Rangers have decided to follow through with an appeal against Morelos’ red card at Aberdeen. The Colombian fron tman was dis - missed just 12 minutes into Sunday’s clash after appearing to kick out at Dons defender Scott MCKenna off the ball.
Gerrard felt Mckenna had provoked his player with “two violent barges” and went onto suggest Rangers had been getting a raw deal from referees for years.
But when asked after the 1-1 draw with Derek Mcinnes’ side whether he would challenge referee Kevin
Clancy’s decision, the Ibroxm anag er said: “There are always emotions straight after the game. We’ve got a long journey back to reflect and decide on it.”
It is understood a challenge has now been lodged. If the appeal fails, Morelos will be handed a two-game ban, ruling him out of Sunday’s Ladbrokes Premiership clash with St Mirren as well as their Betfred Cup clash at Kilmarnock on 19 August.
Rangers sources have also confirmed Ryan Jack has been released from hospital following his collision with Stevie May.
The former Dons skip - per was taken to A&E in Aberdeen on Sunday but was discharged from hospital after a few hours with no major concerns.
Jack will now have to go through a series of concussion tests similar to the return-to-play protocols used in rugby before he will be given the green light to face Maribor in Thursday’s Europa League showdown.