OSTIJEK sporting director Alen Petrovic has tipped new Rangers signing Borna Barisic to make it big in the UK.
The full-back completed his £2.2million switch from the Croatian club yesterday after scoring his side’s equliser in last week’s 1-1 draw in the Europa League qualifying clash at Ibrox.
The Govan side went through 2-1 on aggregate, but the 25-year-old defender impressed over both legs.
Petrovic said: “Steven Gerrard had information on Borna even before our clubs met, butt those matches gave Rangers the perfect opportunity to see him up close.
“There were two deal-makers, the first of which was the atmosphere in the second leg in Glasgow, Borna really liked the way the supporters responded to their team.
“After that there was a phone call from Steven to Borna and their conversation convinced him to move to Glasgow. The entire transfer was finalised after that discussion.
We had several offers on the table last summer for Borna from clubs including Dinamo Kiev and Rapid Vienna, but decided at that moment not to sell.
“Borna had only been at the club for a year after his spell with Croatia Zagreb and we didn’t feel it was the right time to move him again, especially as we hoped he could make the World Cup squad.
“There were offers again in the winter transfer window, but we were only a point off second place at that time and not keen to sell.
“It’s a lucky coincidence Rangers were able to see how good he was these last couple of weeks as they were not the only club from the UK market chasing his signature.
“There were Premier League and Championship clubs after him, as well as concrete offers from Italy and France. But after the talk with Steven, Borna’s mind was fixed on Scotland.
“Rangers have not only signed the future left-back of the Croatia national team, but also a player who in two or three years’ time, will move to the Premier League.”
