THE UNLIKELY LADS
Barisic finally shows his worth to Rangers
STEVEN GErrard hopes a moment of magic from Borna Barisic could prove to be the turning point for the Croatian’s rangers career.
Tipped to leave Ibrox after struggling to hold down a first-team place, the £2.2million signing from Osijek scored his first goal for the club with a stunning free-kick against St Mirren.
Pleased to see his side master the art of winning ugly in a hard-fought 1-0 win in Paisley, Gerrard had made five changes from the side who drew 0-0 with Legia Warsaw in the Europa League in Poland last Thursday.
a recall for Barisic proved inspired as the full-back snatched
the headlines with the only goal of the game. ‘It was a moment of magic from Borna,’ said the Rangers boss. ‘We knew what we were going to face today on the back of a tough European game. ‘It was a hot day, a sticky pitch against a well-organised team and the challenge grew tougher as the game went on. ‘I felt it was going to take a bit of brilliance from one of my front men or a well-executed free-kick. Thankfully Borna stepped up to the plate. ‘He deserves all the credit as I have seen him do that so many times in training. It is okay doing it when there is nobody watching but you have to do it in big moments, so fair play to him.’ Admitting that Barisic has ‘under-performed’ at times, Gerrard hopes yesterday’s strike could be a turning point for the defender after he replaced Jon Flanagan in the starting XI. ‘I’ve seen that many times,’ said the Liverpool legend. ‘There are big moments, like changes to players’ form or where they are at. It’s all down to Borna. I see the quality and the attributes. ‘He is six foot, he has quality, he can run. There is nothing stopping him in my opinion. ‘He got his opportunity today and took it with both hands — not just because of his goal but for his all-round game.’ Barisic had a claim for his first Rangers goal against St Joseph’s in Gibraltar snatched away when UEFA awarded it to Connor Goldson instead. ‘It was a very special moment for me,’ said Barisic. ‘Officially it was my first goal, but I think it was my second!’ Booked for his goal celebration, which saw him engulfed by fans, the 26-year-old felt his yellow card was worth it. ‘It was the first time I could go to the fans and celebrate with them. It was very special.’ The win keeps Rangers’ momentum going ahead of Thursday’s Europa League second leg and the first Old Firm clash of the season next Sunday, also at Ibrox. Without injured Sheyi Ojo, the gamble of five changes paid off for a relieved Gerrard. ‘I’m sure criticism will fly if I don’t get it right,’ he said. ‘We got criticised last season — rightly — for not being consistent enough and maybe not winning the games ugly at times. ‘If we are going to be successful together, sometimes when you can’t find the answers in general play — and it’s looking as if it’s going to be a frustrating day — we need people to step up and provide big moments. ‘It was very satisfying from the start. But if you look at the whole game there is really only one team trying to win the game and I think that you get what you deserve more often than not.’ In a different frame of mind was St Mirren’s Jon Obika who insisted his team were robbed of a first-half penalty. The ex-Spurs prospect appealed for a spot-kick after a clash with Rangers defender Filip Helander. Replays suggested the striker had caught the back of the Ibrox man’s leg but Obika said: ‘He pulled me back. The ref said I clipped him beforehand but I’m not sure, I’d need to see it back.’ Saints boss Jim Goodwin refused to use the incident as an excuse for defeat, saying: ‘You just hope against the Old Firm the decisions go your way. ‘I’m not going to point the finger at the ref.’