One thing that is very noticeable about this Rangers squad is just how harmonious it appears to be, there are never any rumours of dressing room splits and the behind the scenes video footage always paints a content and happy atmosphere.
One of the key components to this has been how much the senior players look to help their younger team-mates; Jermain Defoe with Alfredo Morelos, James Tavernier with Nathan Patterson and Borna Barisic with Calvin Bassey.
The latter would appear to be a surprise given that there have been more than a few occasions when the youngster has outshone his more experienced international team-mate but, if anything, all this has done is make Barisic proud, as reported by Football Scotland:
“He’s my boy! He’s a good guy and a very good player.
“I think he has improved this season very well and he can play both at left-back or centre-back.
”But we know his qualities. He’s very strong and it is very tough to play against him.
”I’m pleased that he has improved this much and I think he has a very bright future.
“I think that is a thing which is even more important than all the ability he has. This is the main reason I think he has a very bright future in football.
“He has the ability but even more important is that he is very calm and down to earth.
“He is strong mentally and he always wants to learn from everybody and wants to listen.”
Bassey has improved immensely this season, he has always been a bit raw but he has clearly been listening to Barisic in training in terms of his positioning, there is still the odd lapse in concentration but they are mainly due to trying too hard rather than daydreaming.
I always thought his attributes suited being a centre-half more for a club like ours in that he has great covering/recovery pace and is very strong in 1v1s either out wide or engaging centre forwards when they are receiving the ball.
If he continues his current rate of development we are going to have some player on our hands to the extent that Borna might regret helping him out, especially if he is spending most weeks sitting on the bench!