According to the player’s agent, Borna Barisic could depart Ibrox in the summer transfer window.

This news doesn’t bode well for an under-pressure Steven Gerrard, or Sporting Director Ross Wilson.

What’s the word?

Barisic arrived in the summer of 2018 from NK Osijek, signing for Rangers just a week after he scored at Ibrox in the Europa League.

He became Gerrard’s 11th signing at the club and although things got off to a slow start, he’s become absolutely crucial to the Gers in 2019/20.

The Croatian played just 15 times in the Scottish Premiership last term but has already bettered that tally this campaign.

The £2.7m-rated defender already has 20 league appearances to his name and has contributed two goals and eight assists in that time. That form has earned interest from Serie A.

However, he could be on his way out just months after signing a new deal. That’s according to quotes from the Daily Record. His agent admitted the following:

“Rangers won’t be able to keep Borna after the season he’s had, even though he’s just signed a new contract. Borna’s priority right now is Rangers, who have made significant progress this season under the management of Steven Gerrard. There was interest in him during the winter transfer window – the strongest came from Napoli, but Rangers turned down all offers because they wanted to keep one of their best players.

“They value Borna a lot and wanted to win something with him because Rangers haven’t won a trophy for a long time. But after the season is over and given the demand for Borna, Rangers are sure to start considering new offers. It will be a completely new position for Borna.”

Big task for Wilson

After previously turning down offers for Barisic, the club’s sporting director will have a huge job on his hands, not only to try and keep him at Ibrox, but to find a replacement should he depart.

As the defender’s agent claims, he is one of Rangers’ best players and finding someone to fill in for the 27-year-old will be no easy task.

Wilson only arrived in Glasgow last October and has had a relatively easy ride until now. During his tenure, the Gers have done some impressive business in the window – not least landing Ianis Hagi on loan who has already been involved in five goals in nine games.

However, losing Barisic would be a bitter blow to Rangers’ ambitions of narrowing the gap between them and Celtic.

The left-back has been a key cog in Gerrard’s team and you only need to look at the 2-2 draw with St Johnstone for evidence of that. He was missing from the side with injury as Rangers shipped twice and brought Andy Halliday, his replacement, off at half time.

Contributing to 14 assists and two goals this term, he’s the joint-most creative outlet in the side next to James Tavernier. On top of that, he has the fifth-most goal involvements in the whole side.

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His influence from the left-hand side is colossal and Wilson could have his work cut out finding a replacement who can produce similar numbers. This will be a huge summer task, particularly with Rangers’ defence in poor form as it is – they’ve conceded eight goals in their last seven outings. Hardly title-challenging form.

Meanwhile, check out Chris Sutton’s EIGHT-WORD response to Rangers’ Scottish Cup defeat…