Rangers defender Borna Barisic missing for Croatia again ahead of Celtic clash

By John McGinley

October 11, 2020

Rangers defender Borna Barisic has again missed an international match on Croatia duty as his injury and fitness problems continue ahead of next week’s Celtic match.

As per UEFA, the left-back hasn’t been named in the starting eleven or on the bench for today’s Nations League fixture against Sweden in Zagreb.

Barisic had previously limped off during Rangers’ 2-0 win against Ross County last weekend.

Ibrox assistant manager Gary McAllister insisted to the club’s official media channel that it was nothing serious, but he’s now missed both of Croatia’s matches during the international window so far.

Borna Barisic in action against Celtic / (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Croatian outlet Sportske Novosti has reported that the defender has missed training sessions over the last week.

The country next plays against France on Wednesday night, and it’ll be interesting to see if the defender makes that one.

It means that Steven Gerrard could be without five first-team stars for the visit to Celtic Park.

Nikola Katic is a long-term injury absence while Joe Aribo and Kemar Roofe have been missing for weeks.

Defender Filip Helander is another doubt after withdrawing from Sweden’s international squad with an injury.

Celtic Park / (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

While the focus in the build-up has been on Celtic’s selection problems, it seems our visitors could be without several key men too.

We’ll be keeping our fingers crossed that the rest of our Bhoys return from international duty injury-free and healthy.

In other news, former Celtic player Lewis Morgan is wowing supporters in America.