OPINION
It was a hugely disappointing night for Rangers fans on Thursday as their side crashed out of the Europa League, losing 1-0 to Rapid Vienna.
They might not initially have expected to get out of the group stage but they’ll know they ended up having a real chance and, on reflection, should have come through.
The 4-3 defeat to Spartak Moscow is where things really went wrong but many fans were proud of their side and were looking for the positives from last night, not the negatives.
One of these was the return of Borna Barisic at left-back.
The £2.2million signing from Osijek in the summer has been out of action since late September but looked fantastic last night, if not fully match fit.
The left-back position has been a real problem since his injury, with Jon Flanagan not coping there and Andy Halliday filling in.
Barisic looked much better than either of them and showed that he’s got a good footballing brain which will serve Rangers well if he can stay fit for the rest of the season.
Many Rangers fans agreed – here are the best reactions from Twitter:
https://twitter.com/jaymcguinness1/status/1073337887746330624
https://twitter.com/CJS0308/status/1073310420751015936
borna and jack played well also, needs to dump coulibaly hes a wasted shirt
— He only cost 6 million (@tailsy2) December 13, 2018
On the plus side looked solid enough at the back, no lack of effort and the real Borna Barasic looks like he's arrived. Onwards and upwards
— Thomas Bryce (@brycie1982) December 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/HandlinSimon/status/1073300595023462401
If we can get Barisic fit there is some player in there. Been impressed every time I have watched him.
— David (@DeErFc) December 14, 2018
Barisic is a player
— marshall thomson (@marsht899) December 13, 2018
Put a fully fit Ryan Kent into that side tonight & it could have made all the difference. Big positives for me were Barisic, who can’t be fully fit but was excellent, & McCrorie. Never really expected to make the group stages so it’s been a huge bonus. Proud of my club as always.
— Paul (@HamptonCaught) December 13, 2018
Mccrorie jack and Barisic all class the night
— Riz (@ryan2tomson) December 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/stevenhill_/status/1073306959955324928
Don’t blame Gerrard for walking up the tunnel without his players. They let him down tonight. 2 attempts all night? Only player who turned up tonight is Barisic who was superb. The rest couldn’t even pass the ball 5 yards to each other under no pressure. Not good enough
— GB (@elgrandebull) December 13, 2018
Barisic has played superb so far
— Kieran Black (@kieran_black_) December 13, 2018