An unexpected £20M has surely appeared at Ibrox

With Borna Barisic’s first goal for his country and subsequent praise from his home media over his whole display (not to mention some of our own, shock horror), attention has to turn to consequent value.

Rangers paid £2M last summer for this Croat international, a Croat international who is now no longer a fringe player for his country but a fully-fledged starter and regular, and has scored for his nation too.

That is big value, however you frame it.

Oh, and the fact his nation are ranked fourth in the world and comfortably made the world cup final last summer probably helps too.

In short, Barisic, internationally-wise, is at the peak of his career. Even if his start to life at Ibrox hasn’t been the most sparkling, to do it at international level against various levels of competition such as Portugal shows Barisic is the real deal and his value is no longer £2M.

It’s evident to see that a Croat international with a goal to his credit aged in his healthy mid-twenties is worth easily beyond £10M. Chelsea’s Kovacic cost Inter £15M from Zagreb in 2013, and Real £30M in 2015. Kramaric £10M in 2015. With transfer fees now absurd, a Croat international these days at his age is a standard of £20M.

It’s not pie in the sky, it’s what players cost at that level and barometer now.

With one goal and a fine all-round display last night, Barisic’s value skyrocketed in line with what international players at his level cost.

Excellent.