THE change in Borna Barisic as a player has been evident for the Rangers fans to see in recent weeks.
But Nikola Katic has witnessed his Croatian countryman become more settled and more content off the pitch as well this term.
The first months that Barisic spent at Ibrox were difficult for the left-back. At the end of his debut term, some supporters were questioning his place in Steven Gerrard’s squad, never mind his starting jersey.
His performances have undoubtedly improved, however, and the 26-year-old is now the first choice in his position ahead of Jon Flanagan and Andy Halliday.
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Boss Gerrard has always had faith that Barisic would show the kind of form he believed he was capable of when he brought him to Ibrox from Osijek.
His exploits on the international stage are further proof of the quality that he has and Katic, signed last summer from Slaven Belupo, is pleased to see his friend enjoying his football and life in Glasgow.
“I’m really happy for him, because I almost live with him,” Katic said. “We don’t live in the same place but in the same building, so we often spend the whole day together.
“Last year, he had problems with hamstring injuries and other things. He was also dealing with a new club, a new culture and a new league.
“It was difficult. There were times when he felt really bad. But he has started to do more this year, more work to prevent injuries to hamstrings and other things. Now I think he is playing amazing.
“You can see that in the last two or three months. He has scored great free-kicks and his confidence is really high.
“His performances for the Croatia national team have also been at a really high level. He played against Gareth Bale recently – a real world-class player – and played very well against him. It just proves that he is in a really good way.”
It was the first of those free-kicks, against St Mirren in August, that could prove to be the turning point for Barisic at Rangers.
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It gave fans an insight into what he is capable of and when he curled home another against Hamilton a few weeks ago it was clear to see what it meant to the Croatian.
Barisic has gone some way to winning over his critics in the opening months of the campaign.
And Katic reckons he is also benefitting from the presence of a friendly face around the club and the city.
He said: “We try to help each other all the time. When I am not playing, he tries to help me and we have positive talks. I did the same for him when he had difficult times.
“There was a period at the start of the season when I was in the team all the time and he was on the bench or out of the squad. So we try and help each other whenever possible.
“I’m really happy that I have Borna here. I have a really good connection with all the players here and can speak with anyone but to have a guy from my country is something different.
“Obviously, he is now happier away from the pitch, because this is our life. When you play well in every game then you will be happy when you are away from football.
“If you are in a bad position, injured or not playing, then you don’t feel good at all. That is the only difference I can see in him.”
It is not just for Rangers that Barisic has performed admirably this season. He was part of the Croatia side that beat Hungary 3-0 and then drew with Wales during the last international break.
He could one day be joined by the man that lines up alongside him at Ibrox.
“Obviously Croatia were World Cup finalists, which means we have really good players who are with top clubs in Europe such as Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid,” Katic, who last week signed a new long-term contract with Rangers, said. “It is really difficult to break in there.
“But I have faith in myself and definitely think in the future that I will be a Croatia national team player. The only thing I can do for now is work hard and try and play better in every single game for Rangers to try and show the manager of the national team that I deserve to be there one day.”
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