Borna Barisic

Who is Borna Barisic?

Borna Barisic is a Croatian defender who plays for Scottish Premiership outfit Rangers and Croatia national team. The star previously played at Osijek in the Prva HNL.

The left-back joined the youth academy of Osijek at the begging of this century, spending eight seasons with the side.

After failing to break into the senior team, Barisic switched to nearby BSK Bijelo Brdo. After a single campaign with Bijelo Brdo, Borna returned to Osijek.

Despite his team’s struggles, the player’s performance for Osijek in the 2014–15 term saw him earn a transfer to league champions Dinamo, penning a five-year contract.

Osijek were purchased in the winter of 2016 by Croatian entrepreneur Ivan Mestrovic and Hungarian oligarch Lorinc Meszaros, the first time the side had gone into private ownership.

The new hierarchy identified Borna as the type of player they want representing Osijek; young, gifted and produced by the youth academy.

He subsequently agreed to the transfer and was appointed skipper of his junior club. 

In summer 2017, the Croatian drew attention from Ukrainian outfit Dynamo Kyiv, agreeing to personal terms. However, at the last minute, Dynamo signed Dinamo Zagreb’s Josip Pivaric.

In an interview with Sportske novosti in the summer of 2017, Borna publicly called out the NSC Olimpiyskiy outfit for sabotaging the transfer.

The following year, Barisic signed a four-year contract with Rangers after an agreement was reached with Osijek for a reported £2.2m.

Borna signed, having just played against the Gers in the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League qualifying phase.

Barisic made his debut for his country’s national team on 11 January 2017 in a friendly versus Chile.

Why he snubbed several interested clubs to stay at Rangers?

Last year, the Croatian was on the radar of multiple European clubs, but he ultimately remained at the club and signed a fresh Rangers deal.

He revealed he agreed to pen a contract extension at Ibrox to repay head coach Steven Gerrard for standing by him during his difficult first season in Glasgow.

Barisic admitted he was flattered to be linked with the Serie A club Roma but stressed he was happy to end speculations over his future by extending his stay at the club.

Statistically, how important is Borna Barisic?

He struggled initially due to fitness woes but settled in eventually in the Scottish environment. His five goals and 14 assists in 50 appearances depict Borna’s expertise down the wing.

The form that the player is in shouldn’t lead to jeers irrespective of how the Croatian performs next term.

The cult status he has earned is well-deserved, and the supporters, too, would be delighted to greet their heroes once they are back at Ibrox.