Rangers confirmed the signing of Croatian defender Borna Barisic on Tuesday and many Rangers fans are absolutely thrilled.
He signed on a four-year deal to become Steven Gerrard’s 11th signing of the summer window.
? #RangersFC are today delighted to confirm the signing of Borna Bari?i? from NK Osijek on a four-year deal. #BornaBear
?? https://t.co/ia5MFMcGHT pic.twitter.com/SlNFI4sOjX
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) August 7, 2018
Barasic is a Croatia international, although he didn’t make it into the summer squad that came second in the World Cup.
However, that might have been just as well for Rangers who have picked him up for what was reported to be a £1.8million fee.
One fan went as far as to say it was the best bit of business that Rangers had done in years, while a few said he was instantly the best left-back in the Scottish Premiership.
Here are the best reactions to the newly confirmed deal.
https://twitter.com/JJBRD_21/status/1026882982383108098
Borna Bari?i? is the best left-back in the SPFL. No one comes close. Absolute wand of a left foot.
— mi55teeray™ (@missteeray) August 7, 2018
From what we have seen #Barisic must be the best bit of business @RangersFC have done in a long time and should vastly improve the team. Unless he has creativity managed out of him.
— JGM 0.5K (@JaguarGuitarMan) August 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/A_J_Burnett/status/1026853137192296454
Borna Barisic looks a good signing on paper. Let’s hope he looks as good on grass. @RangersFC
— Exiled Brigton Teddy Bear ?????? (@levelpeg) August 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/juicyartifact/status/1026837153647652869
Borna Barisic best left back in Scotland ???? ????
— DESCO (@youngdavid85) August 7, 2018
See even if we hadn't already saw him play, based on pedigree alone that Barisic signing is great for the money we've paid. Guy was in the Croatia provisional squad for the world cup. Our scouts should be camped in these markets.
— Phil (@phil_091) August 7, 2018
Great business from Rangers getting Borna Barisic!! ????
— Scott Russell (@ScotttRusselll) August 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/DougieDon1/status/1026780009644650496
https://twitter.com/Scotskerry85/status/1026787474792763392
OPINION
Barisic has flown completely under the radar and it seems to be serendipity that Rangers played Osijek in the Europa League qualifier, and then managed to get a £1.8million deal done before anyone else really noticed him. There was competition from the Championship, with Villa interested, but Gerrard moved quickly to get him over the line, meeting the club’s valuation before unveiling him in front of the cameras. He’s definitely match fit – Rangers fans saw that when he made the equaliser at Ibrox in the dying minutes of the second leg. If they’d scored another Barisic would have been villain no.1 at Ibrox. Now he’s the new hero. he must be wondering what’s happened.