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‘Fantastic’: BBC pundit absolutely blown away by £2.2m Rangers man’s display tonight

Giuseppe Labellarte

Thu 14 April 2022 21:54, UK Updated Thu 14 April 2022 22:53, UK

BBC Sport pundit Richard Foster praised Glasgow Rangers full-back Borna Barisic during the Europa League quarter-final second-leg against Braga at Ibrox.

The man has been a key player for the Gers over the past few years. He was first-choice left-back under Steven Gerrard.

However, Barisic slipped down the pecking order under Giovanni van Bronckhorst this year.

After his poor display in the 3-0 defeat at Celtic in February, the Croatian was an unused substitute in six of the following nine Premiership games.

But his performance against St Mirren last Sunday suggested he’s finding his confidence once again.

And on Thursday, Barisic truly looked back to his best, weighing in with numerous superb deliveries for his teammates.

Two minutes in, he whipped in a cross from the left which Joe Aribo flicked on for James Tavernier to slide home.

Three minutes later, Barisic crossed for Kemar Roofe to head home. However, VAR disallowed it for a handball in the build-up.

And in the 21st minute, he repeated the trick once again, though Aribo and Tavernier weren’t able to make more of it.

“He’s come back”

Foster, speaking on Sportsound, even claimed Barisic was a better crosser than Tavernier when he’s on top of his game.

“Last season Borna Barisic was fantastic,” said the former Gers man ().

“He got injured on international duty and really struggled.

“He has not found anywhere near the form this term.

“In the past two games, he’s come back, and he’s already put in three fantastic crosses.

“He’s probably even better at crosses than James Tavernier when he’s on his game.”

Rangers went on to double their lead from the penalty spot just before the break.

Vitor Tormena was sent off for the foul on Roofe which led to the spot kick, Tavernier making no mistake.

However, Rangers were wasteful in the second half and Braga took full advantage.

David Carmo headed home from a corner late on to level the tie and take the match to extra time.

Barisic’s night didn’t end well either as he appeared to pick up an injury – he was seen clutching both his groin and hamstring.

Leon Balogun replaced him in the final moments of normal time.

But in terms of the result, Rangers had the final say as they struck late on in the first half of extra time.

Roofe finished off a lovely cut back from Aribo across the six-yard box.

And to really kill off any hopes of Braga coming back, they went down to nine men, Iuri Medeiros getting his marching orders.

Rangers will now play RB Leipzig in the Europa League semi-finals.