There are big changes coming to Rangers this summer. Many of them have already taken place.
Belgian manager Philippe Clement has been clear that the entire infrastructure of the club needs a shake up with the playing squad and the backroom staff very overdue an evolution.
At the top of the club, Rangers remain on the hunt for a new CEO after the surprise departure of James Bisgrove to Saudi Arabia.
On reflection it looks like the ex-UEFA blazer got out in the nick of time.
As part of the sweeping change, many of the faces from the Gerrard era at Rangers have now been moved on.
One of them – signed after a chance Euro meeting in 2018 – has just said an emotional goodbye to Rangers fans after six up-and-down seasons in Glasgow.
Barisic in emotional Rangers goodbye
It wasn’t always easy for Borna Barisic at Rangers.
Whilst the Ibrox side have long-held an affinity with Croatian footballers, the left-back initially struggled to make any impact following a £1.5m move from NK Osijek in 2018.
Signed after Rangers played the Croats in Europa League qualification – Barisic then his local club’s captain – Borna’s first year was fraught with injury and mentality problems.
But after bouncing back in season two, at one stage the lethal left-back was as good as anyone has ever been at Ibrox in delivering deadly crosses from his side of the park.
Fast forward a few years and Borna leaves Rangers at the end of his contract for Super Lig club Trabzonspor, the 31-year-old’s next move the worst kept secret in Türkiye.
And as Trabzonspor prepare to officially announce the defender alongside another ex-Rangers star, Borna has made an emotional address on Instagram.
The social media statement reads:
“It’s never easy to say goodbye especially to something that means much to you like Rangers FC means to me and my family.
“I want to thanks everyone in the club and around the club for everything that you did for me and my family in last 6 years.
“Thank you to all my teammates, coaching staff and all staff in the club for everything.
“I made friends and memories for life.
“At the end just want to say thank you to all fans because our relationship was fantastic always and always will be.
“I will always follow you and support Rangers FC. Never surrender my friends, love you from deep of my heart. WATP.”
Left-back gets best wishes from Rangers News
The emotional address proves Borna Barisic is leaving Rangers with a very heavy heart.
Over six years there have been some extraordinary highs and some devastating lows and whilst Barisic has experienced ups and downs in form personally, there can be no doubting the left-back’s commitment.
At his best, the once Tottenham Hotspur and AS Roma linked Croatia international was an exemplary crosser and relentless engine on the left-hand side.
Playing a key role as Rangers romped to 55 unbeaten back in 2020/21, the defender has seen it all as the club regained the Scottish Cup, League Cup and reached the Europa League Final.
Across six seasons Borna Barisic made 236 appearances for Rangers, scoring 10 goals and laying on 54 assists.
The man who comes and goes has came and went for the final time in Glasgow and Rangers fans are bound to be a little teary-eyed as Barisic moves on.
Perhaps kept around a season or two too long, fans will always value the left-back’s commitment to the cause.
As everyone moves in a new direction, Barisic gets nothing but our best.
It’s going to feel strange not seeing the left-back in the Ibrox squad next season.
