Rangers defender Barisic must toughen up or end up the next Sadiq

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Rangers defender Borna Barisic appears to be treading a fine line at Ibrox.

The Croatian defender was seemingly called out by Steven Gerrard in the aftermath of Rangers’ friendly with HJK Helsinki.

Gerrard fielded a different side in each half of the game in an attempt to keep his squad feeling supple ahead of the Scottish Premiership’s return this week.

Barisic played in the second half and went down towards the end of the game.

When quizzed on the defender’s condition in an interview afterwards, Gerrard appeared frustrated and said: “I don’t know, you’ll have to ask Borna.

“He had me worried because he tapped the floor about 55 times but I’m not sure, you’ll have to ask Borna. He looks like he’s moving OK now.”

Barisic must take Gerrard’s response as a warning

Gerrard was clearly a frustrated man when talking about Barisic. His demeanour obviously changed when the subject of the player was raised.

His sarcastic response must prompt the player to respond.

Barisic must see this as a challenge to him to toughen up and improve.

In recent months Barisic has received criticism for being somewhat ‘fragile’. The defender has missed a number of games having picked up three injuries already this season.

Barisic runs the risk of turning out like Umar Sadiq, who was also accused of not being able to handle the Premiership’s physicality.

Sadiq was eventually returned to AS Roma after an unwhelming loan stint, and Barisic could find himself out of the team indefinitely if he does not show the grit that Gerrard clearly desires in his players.