Borna Barisic is likely to be left out of Croatia’s squad for next summer’s European Championships with the Rangers left-back falling out of favour under national team boss Zlatko Dalic’s plans.
That is according to SportSport, Dalic using the November break to ring the changes and test out a number of young up-and-comers.
The likes of Augsburg striker Dion Drena Beijo and Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Martin Baturina were included at the expense of Josip Brekalo, Mislav Orsic and Nikola Vlasic. Borna Barisic, meanwhile, was another experienced old head conspicuous by his absence from those Euro qualifiers against Armenia and Latvia.
Explaining his decision to drop Barisic from the squad – the Rangers ace was also omitted in October – Dalic said that he felt Manchester City’s highly-versatile Josko Gvardiol was a better option in the left-back spot. Borna Sosa of Ajax, meanwhile, was chosen as first-reserve as Barisic found his seat on the plane snatched away.
At Manchester City, he plays at left-back,” Dalic told Danas of Gvardiol. “He brings extra quality in attack. In the next two games, he will be in that position (at left-back).
“I didn’t get what I wanted from Barisic going forward (in previous internationals).”
Croatia are one of 21 nations who have already secured their place at Euro 2024. And SportSport believe that, unless Dalic changes his mind, Barisic is unlikely to add to his tally of 35 international caps on Germany soil next summer.
Rangers’ other left-back, the seldom-seen Ridvan Yilmaz, was also left out of Turkey’s squad for the November fixtures. The £3.4 million signing from Besiktas is now facing an uncertain future for both club and country, his agent reportedly jetting into Glasgow in order to hold talks with the Ibrox chiefs.
Linked with a return to the Turkish Super Lig, Yilmaz has started only a handful of Scottish Premiership games all season.
