In the aftermath of Rangers’ recent 1-1 draw with Aberdeen, Philippe Clement has been confronted with the realization that there is still “too much deadwood” within the squad that needs addressing, as expressed by official Gers partner, Heart & Hand.
Reacting to the disappointing result on November 26th, Heart & Hand took to Twitter to share their concerns, specifically pointing out Borna Barisic as a player who has exhausted their patience. The draw marked the first time Clement dropped points in the SPFL.
Heart & Hand tweeted, “Should have won but didn’t take our chances. Still too much deadwood that Clement will need to shift. And Barisic…I just can’t anymore.”
Despite the setback, the fact that Barisic remains a top choice two years after the defeat raises concerns about the left-back position. In the past, he lost his place to Calvin Bassey, and the signing of Ridvan Yilmaz in the following summer further complicated the situation.
While Barisic’s exceptional delivery from the left flank is acknowledged, his overall performance is often considered lacking. Yilmaz, at 22 years old, is seen as a potential solution, but with limited game time, it remains uncertain whether he can take over the position long-term.
The squad’s improvement under Clement is evident, but the lingering issues inherited from Michael Beale’s tenure might necessitate further changes to prevent a recurrence of dropped points.
As Rangers navigate through a crucial period, decisions regarding Yilmaz’s and Barisic’s futures become imperative and are likely to feature prominently on Clement’s sizable to-do list.