Borna Barisic may have drawn a line under his Rangers’ odyssey, but it appears the Croatian defender may yet play a hand in shaping the future of his former club.
Reports in his homeland suggest that Barisic, who now plays with Trabzonspor in Turkey, has given a glowing recommendation to the Ibrox hierarchy to sign Marko Soldo, a defensive midfielder who plays for his former club NK Osijek.
A Croatia Under-21 international, Soldo is valued at around £2million. It’s understood Nils Koppen, who recently stepped up to become technical director at Rangers from his recruitment chief role, likes what he sees in the player with a bid in January looking increasingly likely.
Soldo has played in wide areas for Osijek but has recently moved to a more defensive role.
Despite only being 21, he has played for Dinamo Zagreb and Gorica and already has experience of playing in European qualifiers.
If he’s acquired, it would free up Mohamed Diomande to play further forward.
Croatian left-back Borna Barisic enjoyed some success during his spell at Rangers
Marko Soldo (right) in action for Croatia Under-21s in a Euro 2025 qualifier against Andorra
Provided the deal goes through, Rangers fans can only hope Soldo is as successful in Glasgow as the man who’s now pushing his case.
Barisic actually caught the eye while playing against Steven Gerrard’s side back in 2018 and became a mainstay of the team which won the 2021 Premiership title and reached the 2022 Europa League final.
LOWRY LOOKS TO BE ON HIS WAY OUT
If raw ability alone guaranteed an emerging talent a run of games at first-team level then Alex Lowry would already have over 50 games to his name with Rangers.
Blessed with outstanding skill and vision, the midfielder was seen as the next big thing as he came through the Ibrox academy system.
Handed his first-team debut in a Scottish Cup tie against Stirling Albion in January, 2022, Lowry scored and appeared to have a huge future ahead of himself.
He signed off for that season by netting against Hearts at Tynecastle, with the expectation that the following year would be his breakthrough season.
It didn’t really happen for him, though. He featured in only seven first-team matches — including a run-out against Ajax in the Champions League — and never succeeded in nailing down the place many felt his talent deserved.
Alex Lowry’s career at Rangers appears to be over — with the youngster out the Ibrox picture
He moved on loan to Hearts supposedly for the entirety of season 2023-24 but the deal was cut short at Christmas with the midfielder having scored just once in 17 games.
He returned to Rangers with a back injury, never featured in the second half of last season and has never been seen at that level again.
His last appearance for Hearts, in a 2-2 draw with Ross County almost a year ago, remains his last first-team outing.
With just a handful of Rangers B team appearances to his name this season, Lowry’s race at Ibrox looks to be done.
Out of contract next summer and able to talk to other clubs in January, his next move will be an interesting one. But if someone can get him fit and focused, at 21, he could still have a stellar career.
LEEDS STRIKER ATTRACTING ATTENTION
Rangers face strong competition in the race to secure Leeds striker Joe Gelhardt on loan.
The target of loan interest in the summer, Old Firm rivals Celtic were also linked with a player who attracted no fewer than ten approaches.
Since then the 22-year-old has managed just 10 minutes of action as a late substitute in the English Championship all season.
Leeds striker Joe Gelhardt is firmly on the radar of Rangers’ technical director Nils Koppen
Keen to secure some first team action, Gelhardt is again drawing admirers from the second tier down south, with QPR, Portsmouth, Stoke City, Plymouth and Preston North End all interested.
After a spell at Sunderland last season, however, Rangers offer the prospect of a change of scene.
Reports suggest the Ibrox side are in the market for new defenders, a midfielder, a winger and a striker.
And, while the emergence of Hamza Igamane has breathed life into Philippe Clement’s attack in recent weeks, finances seem likely to force technical director Nils Koppen to return to the loan market to strengthen the squad. Gelhardt is one of the names under discussion.
FANS FACE TICKET SCRAMBLE FOR MAN UNITED CLASH
Rangers are gearing up for a Europa League ticket scramble after Manchester United restricted their allocation to 3,700.
Philippe Clement’s team travel to Old Trafford on January 23 for an eagerly anticipated Battle of Britain.
Rangers fans travelled in huge numbers to Manchester in 2008 for the UEFA Cup final
And travelling fans will be limited to less than 4,000 briefs despite Rangers seeking more.
Rangers’ supporter liaison officer issued the update on social media site X before the clash with Tottenham.
A statement read: ‘Our allocation is around 3.7k. This has been confirmed after our request for additional tickets was refused.
‘Travel arrangements will be at the discretion of each supporter. We are working with the local authorities to designate an area for fans within the city.’
Rangers travelled to Manchester for the 2008 UEFA Cup final, with defeat to Zenit St Petersburg the trigger for clashes with police and widespread unrest after the final whistle.
‘Please note that the club are continuing to work with Manchester United and local authorities regarding the preparation for this game,’ added the update.
