Steven Gerrard handed colossal Old Firm boost
ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 01: Steven Gerrard, Manager of Rangers FC wears a face mask as he looks on from the stands during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Aberdeen and Rangers at Pittodrie Stadium on August 01, 2020 in Aberdeen, Scotland. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Willie Vass/Pool via Getty Images)
Steven Gerrard has been given a massive double boost going into this weekend’s Old Firm match, after not only was the idiotic case against him thrown out by the SFA’s independent panel, but Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic confirmed Borna Barisic is fit and was only left out of the first two matches of his country’s international break as a ‘precaution’.
There had been major fears Barisic would not only be a huge doubt to face France on Wednesday, but a big one for the weekend, but his NT boss has revealed he’s fit and raring to go to face the world champions.
So Gerrard now has one man back to face Celtic, and will be able to coach he and the rest from the sidelines as normal at Parkhead.
It makes for a big big boost, even if there are some other injury doubts, because Barisic’s crossing is a giant weapon against Celtic and he assisted both goals in Glasgow’s East End last time.
That alone is a massive asset to have when Rangers face Lennon’s lot over there – and they don’t have an answer for it.
Barisic’s return, assuming he doesn’t pick up another knock on international duty yet again, is a welcome sight for his manager Steven Gerrard, and while of course we hope he has a good match v Deschamps side, our concern is him having a good one this weekend.
Thankfully it now appears he’ll be given the opportunity to do so.