Steven Gerrard has revealed ( and reported in The Daily Record) that Borna Barisic won’t be risked against Livingston at Ibrox on Saturday as his side look to get back on track following the calamitous result against Kilmarnock in mid-week.
The Croatian left-back has been rejuvenated and is an integral part of the Rangers rearguard not only helping them to improve their defensive record but also on the attacking front, chipping in with 14 assists so far this season.
Barisic suffered the hip flexor injury against Hamilton in the Scottish Cup stretching for a short George Edmundson pass and Gerrard may be planning ahead for the Europa League fixtures against Braga on the horizon, choosing to give him extra time to recover.
His replacement against Kilmarnock, Andy Halliday, came under fire after both goals conceded were on his side of the Gers defence – although Connor Goldson was mainly at fault for the second – with his lack of natural positional sense being exposed.
The Rangers gaffer has spoken this week about getting back on track and continuing to fight for every victory in an attempt to keep as much pressure on Celtic as they can, it isn’t impossible but they will need to return to their form of the first six-months of the season if they are to close the ten point gap.
The Light Blues will face a similar style of play to that of Kilmarnock when they play against Livingston, a deep defensive line or lines and direct attacking to a target man in the shape of Lyndon Dykes – who has caused plenty problems already this season.
Will Gerrard turn things around for Rangers?
Yes
No
It really is a case of “one game at a time” and hoping that complacency sets in across the city, there is only one team that Gerrard and his men should be focused on though, and that is his own.