THE 100 CLUB
Barisic insists Rangers are driven to making club history by chalking up a century of points
BORNA BARISIC insists Rangers remain motivated to complete a new piece of club history by achieving a three-figure points tally. Crowned comfortable Premiership champions in March, Steven Gerrard’s team currently have 96 points on the board with just two fixtures remaining.
On Wednesday, they visit Livingston before welcoming Aberdeen to Ibrox for trophy day next Saturday.
A win and a draw from those matches will be enough to not only secure an unbeaten league campaign but reach the 100-point mark.
Speaking in an interview with Croatian publication, Sportske Novosti, Barisic said: ‘How good we are this season is confirmed by the fact we secured the title two months ago.
‘But it is not over yet. We have two games left in the league in which we want to celebrate and finish the season undefeated and with more than 100 points won.’
Barisic, who signed for Rangers after impressing in a Europa League qualifier against Osijek in 2018, quickly established himself as a consistent performer on the left flank.
The 28-year-old Croatian’s regular productivity was not always matched by his team-mates, but this season the team have clicked into gear.
Barisic credits the lessons learned during those first two trophyless campaigns for helping the players — and Gerrard — identify the formula to put together a titlewinning campaign.
He continued: ‘All this is the result of incredible dedication and exceptional quality work with our manager. It means a lot to us that the majority of the team has been together with Gerrard for three years. We know each other by heart. We already have a lot of great results and performances.
‘Of course, we have had some disappointments, but we learned lessons and got to where we are today.’
Last week, the Scottish Football Writers’ Association announced its four-man shortlist for the Player of the Year award, each a Rangers player. Connor Goldson, James Tavernier, Steven Davis and Allan McGregor are all in the running.
Although Barisic did not make the cut, he is resoundingly pleased with his own campaign.
‘I’ve personally had a great season,’ he continued. ‘And I am delighted because I have played 56 games for Rangers and Croatia with practically no problems, which is a record for me.
‘At Rangers, we use the wings a lot and that is good for me. The manager trusts both me and the other full-back, James Tavernier.’
Just one week ago, it looked as if that hectic schedule had caught up with Barisic as he pulled up late in the 4-1 victory over dethroned champions Celtic at Ibrox.
Fortunately, results of an MRI scan have shown up no serious muscle damage and he hopes to be involved in the Aberdeen match if not before.
Reflecting on that thumping win, the Croatian admitted he could not believe how straightforward the final Old Firm match of the season proved to be.
In the preceding weeks, Celtic’s interim boss John Kennedy had declared that his team still retained the quality to be considered the best in the country, words that Barisic declared a ‘joke’ and ‘disrespectful.’
Last weekend’s victory put Rangers 23 points ahead of their nearest rivals, but the full-back admitted he didn’t expect the success to be quite so easy.
He said: ‘We did not expect such a convincing victory, but it is no wonder really because we have been playing great football this season.
‘We are full of self-confidence, positive energy and now we have definitely shown that we are a better team than Celtic.’
Once domestic matters are put to bed next weekend, Barisic will turn full focus on this summer’s European Championships.
The Croats will base themselves in Scotland for Euro 2020, a tournament that will kick off against England at Wembley, before Hampden ties with Czech Republic and the Scots.
Barisic admits he can’t wait to face his adopted country at the national stadium. He added: ‘Now I am seriously concentrating on the Euros. It’s time to prepare and think about the games.
‘It’s obvious our aims are to get out of the group, which will not be easy at all.
‘But we know our strengths and I believe in a very successful Euros for us.
‘I am also really happy we are playing in Scotland — a country which has grown close to my heart.’