Borna Barisic isn’t exactly everyone’s flavour of month heading into what it is (probably) the most important Rangers Celtic clash of the season.
The Croatian international left-back, 31, has been an Ibrox stalwart for six years but his time in Govan looks to be coming to an end.
Out of contract at the end of the season, and amid heavy murmurs about interest from Turkey, the man who comes and goes, might just be about to do exactly that for one of the final times.
The yellow carded Croatian international was subbed off early v Hibs – in what we can only view as a deliberate precaution – and if Borna is to leave Ibrox, then amid this week’s Easter festivities Sunday presents the chance for one final act of resurrection.
Borna Barisic in Rangers v Celtic precaution
Borna Barisic put in a solid showing against the Hibees but his role in the Rangers victory was cut short in the match.
Subbed off with 23 minutes to play in the game, an earlier yellow card sustained in the game was probably at the forefront of Philippe Clement’s thinking.
It gives a small and ultimately inconclusive insight into the thinking of the Belgian manager who may well have had one eye on Sunday’s Old Firm bonanza.
One thing is clear however.
If Ridvan Yilmaz is not deemed fit enough to make the game, then it will be the 35-times capped Croatian international who makes the starting XI.
And it’s better he was actually available.
Old Firm battle presents chance of redemption
Rangers fans have been willing the evolution of the club’s left-back berth for what feels like too long.
Ridvan Yilmaz joined in the summer of 2022 but wound up contributing to the post-Europa League Final woes injury woes that cost Giovanni van Bronckhorst his job.
Whilst Borna Barisic has at times proven a steady stalwart in the Rangers backline, serious questions persist over his role in the Old Firm fixture.
That harrowing 3-0 Parkhead defeat back in 2022 has remained a black mark on our man from the Baltic Sea and as his form has downturned it has been difficult to recover.
How poignant then – that with injury doubts surrounding Turkish international Ridvan – that opportunity should present itself v Celtic.
An unsung hero waits in our midst and whether or not Borna Barisic waves goodbye come the final game of the season, Rangers’ vital clash with Celtic represents one last shot at redemption for the latest Croatian icon in our midst.
