Rangers defender Borna Barisic has said that he is hoping to use a solid performance against Wales for Croatia as a springboard for better things next season.
Barisic’s side defeated Ryan Giggs’ men 2-1 in Euro 2020 qualifying action on Saturday, with Ivan Perisic’s second-half goal proving key.
Speaking to the Daily Record, however, left-back Barisic felt he himself put up a good defence against Wales talisman Gareth Bale.
“I was happy with my display. I was up against Gareth Bale and thought I did well,” the 26-year-old said. “But it wasn’t just him, Wales have a lot of players who play in the English Premier League.
“So to come up with a performance like that gives me great hope for the future at Rangers. We were under a lot of pressure before the game, but we all showed we could handle it.
“It was extremely hot too, but we came through it. It was a dream for me personally to return to play at Osijek. We have a friendly against Tunisia and it’s important to keep momentum going before I return to Scotland for the new season.”
OPINION
Just the fact that Barisic got to test himself against Gareth Bale would have given the left-back lots of confidence, but putting in a solid performance as he did will do wonders for him. He was impressive overall against the Real Madrid man, who did not get many chances. Moving on, not only will it give Barisic confidence, but it will also give Gers boss Steven Gerrard the knowledge that his left-back will now be raring to go and hit the ground running in the new season. It was a good game to be involved in for Barisic, and, looking forward, thre is no doubt that Barisic will be fired up and can go into the new season with his head held high after a solid campaign -in which the left-back assisted seven goals in 27 appearances for the Gers – topped off with a solid performance against Wales for his country.