Rangers defender Borna Barisic has revealed he is lacking in fitness ahead of his country’s clash against Wales.
The Croatian centre back arrived at Ibrox last summer to help bolster the options available to manager Steven Gerrard in his first season in the dugout.
However, the 26-year-old managed to make just 22 appearances across all competitions as injury and form kept him on the sidelines and he has revealed that his lack of playing time means he requires special attention in order to be fit enough for his country’s showdown against Wales.
Having frustrated Gerrard by picking up an injury on his last international outing, he told the Daily Record: “I had a misunderstanding with Rangers after the injury, but the matter has been solved now. Unfortunately, because I have not been playing much, I am not at the desired fitness level just now.
“I will need extensive training, but I have plenty of experience to come through this.”
Opinion
The season has just ended and Barisic is complaining about his fitness – hardly a great message to be sending to Gerrard and the Ibrox coaching staff. Yes, he might have only played once in the club’s final eight league fixtures but he was fit enough to come through 90 minutes on the final day versus Kilmarnock. To suggest he has lost all that fitness to require “extensive” work on the training ground should come as concern to Rangers. His injury record at the club is nothing to be proud of and the problems suffered over the last 12 months have caused him to miss plenty of action. The fact Rangers were frustrated over his injury the last time he was on international duty tells you all you need to know about how they feel about his issues and maybe he needs to focus on getting and remaining fit over the summer. If he could show the same dedication for his club as he is for his country, then maybe he could play more under Gerrard.