Ibrox Sources: 26-yr-old has saved Rangers career after winning Gerrard over on training ground

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Published on:

22 Jul 2019, 4:29 am

EXCLUSIVE

Borna Barisic has won Steven Gerrard over with his attitude and performances in pre-season to save his Rangers career, Football Insider can reveal.

The Light Blues hierarchy were ready to offload the left-back after a disappointing debut campaign in which he has failed to live up to expectations following his £2.2million arrival from NK Osijek.

Ibrox sources have told Football Insider that Barisic has impressed Gerrard and his coaching staff with his efforts on the training ground, both during their pre-season camp in Portugal and back at Auchenhowie.

Rangers have now abandoned plans to listen to offers for Barisic as they look to make him their first choice left-back in the new campaign.

The Croatia international impressed as Gerrard's side won 4-0 against St Joseph's in Gibraltar in the first leg of their Europa League qualifier last week.

Barisic did not feature in the second leg as Andy Halliday filled in but he is set for a major role this season, to put to bed doubts about his future at the club.

He only played once in the club's last eight fixtures last season - that being the last game of the campaign at Kilmarnock - after being frozen out by Gerrard in the final months.

He made 23 appearances for Rangers last season as he failed to build upon initial promise.

Gerrard preferred to deploy right-footers Andy Halliday and Jon Flanagan ahead of the seven-times international at left-back, but Barisic is now set to be given the chance to be the first choice in that position.

In other Rangers news, it can be REVEALED that more than 10 clubs are trying to sign Rangers senior player now valued at £10million.

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