Barisic or Ridvan: The Celtic option Michael Beale should consider

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As Rangers prepare to take the short trip across the city on Saturday lunchtime, Michael Beale has a few selection dilemmas to contemplate.

Much debate has centred around who should lead the line for the Ibrox club at Parkhead with neither Alfredo Morelos nor Antonio Colak exactly firing on all cylinders.

Whether Nico Raskin can feature following a recent injury lay-off is also a question on most supporters' minds, although The Rangers Review understands the Belgian is likely to declare himself fit.

Another area of the pitch that, understandably, will concern some is left-back. Borna Barisic has endured some forgettable afternoons in the East End of Glasgow of late and with big money signing Ridvan Yilmaz fit and available again, should the Rangers manager be looking to give the young Turk the nod?

Firstly, it’s important to stress Barisic has enjoyed a relatively steady season thus far and has been one of Rangers’ better performers in what has been an ultimately disappointing campaign. Does he deserve to keep his place on Saturday based on current form? Yes. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a feeling of trepidation and anxiety given his previous showings in the lion's den.

The former Osijek man was roasted in the 3-0 defeat to Ange Postecoglu’s men in February last year and the image of him on his haunches as Liel Abada stole a march before slotting home goal number three is seared into the brain of many Rangers fans.

Fast forward to September and he suffered another derby nightmare as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side was dismantled 4-0. The often used phrase, ‘scar tissue,’ can be attributed to a number of this current Rangers squad and particularly the 30-year-old Croatian when it comes to facing up to their arch-rivals.

That being said, he has shown he can thrive in this type of environment before. Who can forget his Man of the Match display in December 2019 when he provided two assists for Ryan Kent and Niko Katic to seal a 2-1 win?

However, there is no room for sentimentality at Rangers. He cannot afford another sub-standard Parkhead performance. A similar collapse to the ones we’ve witnessed previously could be terminal to many an Ibrox career - not least the international full-back.

Given he started against Dundee United last week, the chances are he’ll do likewise on Saturday but, simply put, if the warning signs of another horror show are evident early on then Michael Beale needs to channel his inner Dick Advocaat and hook him before it’s too late.

Barisic isn’t the only player who’s struggled in the Parkhead heat. Fernando Ricksen’s Old Firm debut lasted all of 23 minutes before he was put out of his Bobby Petta inflicted misery by Advocaat back in 2000. Beale must be ready to do likewise if a similar roasting is on the cards.

He has a more than able replacement to call upon if necessary in Ridvan who needs to be thrown in at some point if his Rangers career is to take off. And there have been calls for the former Besiktas man to get the chance from the start despite question marks over his physicality and whether he can cope with the demands of Scottish football. At this juncture, it’s too early to pass judgement but the 21-year-old shouldn’t be overawed if he was to start at the weekend. This is someone who has played in some of the most intimidating atmospheres in world football back home and you can’t help but think he would likely relish performing in such a cauldron.

Both are completely different players in terms of their skill sets and attributes. You’ll struggle to find anyone with a better delivery than Barisic whereas, in Ridvan, his energy and willingness to drive forward is something that Celtic may struggle to counteract.

Borna Barisic v Ridvan Yilmaz (Image: StatsBomb)

If we take a look at both players’ stats this term, albeit the sample size isn’t too substantial in Ridvan’s case, they tell us Barisic’s assisted xG numbers are far greater, highlighting the quality of crosses being supplied. On the other hand, Ridvan outperforms in the dribbling stakes which tells us he has the capability to break the lines and create opportunities.

All things considered, the Rangers manager is working with the squad on a daily basis and you have to assume the fact Ridvan was an unused substitute in the win over Dundee United tells us Barisic will keep the shirt for now. It’s a big call and one of a number Michael Beale must get right if Rangers are to record their first victory at Parkhead since October 2020.