As a summer transfer out looks imminent, Rangers legend Kenny Miller has questioned whether Borna Barisic is truly devoted to the Ibrox club.
Concerns regarding an injury suffered by Ridvan Yilmaz while playing for his country could mean that the left-back, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is still in line for a significant role for Philippe Clement’s team in the Premiership title run-in.
After six years with Rangers, the 31-year-old appears virtually certain to leave the team. Last week, the Croatian media site Germanijak said that Barisic is considering a hefty offer from Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor. Reports from Turkey claimed that negotiations had been reached with the player, but those were denied, and it is still thought that Barisic is weighing his options.
The Rangers are still on track to win a domestic triple crown, but Miller says he has no idea where Barisic’s mind is. Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, he stated: “I would have said it probably wouldn’t have made too much of a difference if this had happened a month ago. Since arriving, Yilmaz has performed admirably. Even though he doesn’t have the same outlet as James Tavernier on the other side, he is currently scoring goals and performing a great job at his profession.
“With two months remaining on his contract, Borna Barisic’s situation is the one thing I would be concerned about. Has he committed to going elsewhere? Is he possibly defending himself? Yilmaz will be crucial to the team’s efforts to win leagues and cups from now until the end of the season if he is hurt.”
In the meantime, former Celtic striker Andy Walker believes that Rangers would be better off financially if they allowed Barisic to go as a free agent, considering the amount of work he has done for the team during his extended stay in Glasgow.
“I think he has been really good,” he said on Go Radio. As a left-back, his crossing has been excellent. Letting someone that good go to the end of their contract and move for nothing is probably not the best course of action for business. Prior to a player’s contract expiring, you should ideally strive to get payment for whatever time they have spent there.”
Jamie Murphy, a different analyst and former player for the Giants, disagreed, stating that Ibrox is not where his future rests. He acknowledged, “I think it’s probably time for him to move on.” “Over the past few years, he has been a fantastic servant. He has won some significant games and, of course, the Premiership once. I don’t believe he is carrying any negative vibes from Rangers supporters.”
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