Rangers left back Borna Barisic has been ruled out of the team’s Betfred Cup semi-final clash with Aberdeen on Sunday, according to the Scottish Sun.
The newspaper states that Gers manager Steven Gerrard confirmed that the Croatian would miss Sunday’s game following his side’s goalless draw with Spartak Moscow on Thursday.
Barisic, an imposing 6ft 1in [Source: Transfermarkt], hasn’t appeared since last month’s 1-0 defeat to Livingston, but was thought to be close to a return against Derek McInnes’s side this weekend.
However midfielder Scott Arfield, who picked up a knock on international duty with Canada, could return against the Dons after missing Thursday’s game.
OPINION
This is rather a big blow for Rangers. It would have been a real plus for Gerrard to have Barisic back against a tough Aberdeen side, but it now looks as if that won’t be the case. The left back started his career in Scotland impressively but has seen his progress hampered by injury over the past month. Former Liverpool man Jon Flanagan, a right back by trade, has been filling in on the left flank in Barisic’s absence, and occupied the position against Spartak Moscow on Thursday. He’s been doing a decent job but Gerrard bought Barisic in to be the team’s starting left back, having been impressed when facing him in Europa League qualifying. He would have wanted the 25-year-old back against Aberdeen, who are difficult opposition at the best of times, but he’ll have to get by without the Croatia international for at least one more game.