'So far off it': Kris Boyd singles out £2m Rangers man for criticism after Ross County loss
15/04/2024 14:00
It might not have signalled the end of Rangers’ Scottish Premiership title hopes – Philippe Clement’s side can cut the gap to Celtic back down to one point when they finally take on Dundee this week – but that shocking 3-2 loss at Ross County certainly had an ‘end of an era’ feeling to it.
Two of Rangers’ longest-serving players – title winners during the Steven Gerrard era and boasting over 500 appearances for the Glasgow giants between them – looked very much like defenders on their last legs as the visitors crumbled under the pressure at Dingwall.
Ross County, scoring three goals in just 22 second-half minutes, defeated The Gers for the first time in their entire history. And while no one really covered themselves in glory on an afternoon which could prove fatal for Clement’s title chances – perhaps only Todd Cantwell produced a performance worthy of praise – Connor Goldson and Borna Barisic did little to suggest they should form part of a Rangers rebuild under the towering Belgian.
Goldson, not for the first time in recent weeks, looked nervy and passive.
Barisic, meanwhile, will become a free-agent in July. And, on this evidence, an extension should not be forthcoming. Barisic was hauled off at half-time against Kilmarnock in February. And he lasted only 54 minutes here, with Kris Boyd left seething with the Croatian’s role in Sean Murray’s equaliser just after the interval.
Rangers legend singles out Borna Barisic
“When you’re in a title race, you need to win games,” Boyd tells Sky Sports, Rangers enduring their longest run (five games) without a clean sheet in three years. “Since Clement has come in, Rangers have got back into a position where they can win it. But once you’re in the position, you’ve got to believe you can win the title.
“Ross County had never beaten Rangers before and there was the stat about Ross County’s record when they go behind. That can all go in the bin now.
“They were excellent today but Rangers were so far off it. The warning signs were there in the first half and you just knew Rangers weren’t going to be able to lift it again (once County took the lead).
“Rangers were so disjointed. Borna Barisic is standing there for three or four seconds and doesn’t react (when Murray scores). The County players react first. You need to match those runners to start with.”
Gers should not extend contract on this evidence
Barisic, a fading force at both ends of the pitch, has lost his place to the ever-improving Ridvan Yilmaz following Clement’s replacing of Mick Beale in the Ibrox dugout.
The Turkey international is out injured, however, and his ongoing absence will only make the heart grow fonder as far as Yilmaz’s reputation among the Rangers fans is concerned.
It is no coincidence that, in Yilmaz’s absence, Rangers’ have looked at their most secure down the left when Dujon Sterling was tasked with filling in out of position, Barisic ruled out of that 3-3 Old Firm derby draw last week due to illness.
