Derek Ferguson has admitted that Rangers defender Borna Barisic gives him the “heebie-jeebies” and has admitted he has lost faith in the Croatian defender.
The 31-year-old, who looks set to depart Ibrox at the end of the season, has fallen down the pecking order under Philippe Clement with Ridvan Yilmaz now the Belgian’s preferred choice at left-back in the Premiership.
With the Turkish defender injured on international duty, Barisic could be set to return to the starting XI against Hibernian, but Ferguson believes the defender “falls apart” in the biggest games at Ibrox.
Speaking on the Open Goal YouTube channel (28 March, 55:23) he said: “The thing with Barisic that gives me the heebie-jeebies is when you get into the pressure games.
“He just seems to fall apart, that’s a worry. Sometimes you just lose a bit of trust and you just watch him and just go ‘Oh dear’. I just think does he switch off a little bit? I don’t know.”
Will Borna Barisic start for Rangers against Hibernian and Celtic?
Clement’s options at left-back are limited at the moment, especially with Yilmaz sidelined, but that doesn’t mean that Barisic will have to start both against Hibs or in the Old Firm showdown with Celtic at Ibrox.
The Croatian has been fairly reliable for the Gers across his tenure in Glasgow, but too often this season he has put in performances that have let his side down and it is clear his heart and head aren’t committed to Clement’s side.
Hopefully, Dujon Sterling will be fit to start out of position at left-back, but if the Englishman still hasn’t recovered from his injury woes, you’d have to imagine that it will be Barisic who lines up next to John Souttar.
Some clarity should emerge when Clement conducts his pre-match press conference, but almost every Light Blues fan will be hoping that Yilmaz isn’t stuck on the sidelines for too long.
