Josh Doig, a transfer target, and colleague Ridvan Yilmaz...

Josh Doig, a transfer target, and colleague Ridvan Yilmaz of the Rangers are “miles ahead” of Borna Barisic.

A former teammate has given Borna Barisic a hearty recommendation as the Rangers look for a new left-back.

Despite playing and performing well in the previous four games, Ridvan Yilmaz may be moved as Philippe Clement

looks to add to that position this month. Although Barisic has been the team’s first choice for the majority of the

season, his contract expires in the summer, therefore there is a need to address this part of the roster.

Many names have been linked to this window, but Josh Doig, a former Hibs star who is currently at Hellas Verona,

is among the most well-known to Scottish and German football fans. However, Nikola Katic believes his former

comrade is way ahead of him and his current opponent for the position, and he maintains that Ibrox already has

the answer to the left-back dilemma.

The friendship has endured ever since my departure. Borna is an elite athlete. He has been playing at a high level

consistently for about six years. It’s not a matter of chance. He’s been doing it regularly for a while.

“The Rangers organization is aware of his abilities and would prefer to retain him for an additional two or three

years.

“In Europe, he always performs. I’ve spoken with Borna and he’s enjoying it under Clement, so I think they will

make a new deal. With all due respect to those two [Doig and Yilmaz], I think Borna is miles ahead.

“I remember Doig from Hibs. He’s a good player. If he were to join Rangers it would give Borna some healthy

competition. But Borna had that with Calvin Bassey too. In the end, Borna proved a lot of times why he is the No1

in that position.”

Katic played for Rangers for four years, however he spent the last one on loan at Hajduk Split. He was present

when Steven Gerrard’s team won the championship, but a knee injury forced him to miss a year of action.

He nevertheless recalls it with fondness. Not to mention coming up with the game-winning goal against Celtic, he

will always remember some of the best performances he saw in Europe.

If not for that injury, Katic feels certain he would still be at Ibrox right now.

He said, “There were some unique games.” Unfortunately, my injuries is all most people remember about me.

However, it was the only injury I have ever had in my professional life.

“I had a lot of great memories from the Legia match at home, including scoring at Celtic Park and winning at Ufa

with nine men. However, I have no doubt that if I hadn’t sustained that injury, I would still be with the team, if not

more.

“Unfortunately, my year-long absence from the game cost me a lot. As I returned and joined Hajduk Split on loan, I

was still adjusting and regained my physical condition.

“You must give it time. I kept telling myself that I was strong and that I would return quickly, even though people

had warned me that it would be like that. I feel like I’m back to the player I was before the injury, even if it took me

two seasons to get back to that level.

Was leaving difficult? Yes, even though I wasn’t on the team, I would have continued to fight at Ibrox if there

hadn’t been an injury. But I couldn’t afford to be in and out again because I’d already missed an entire year due to

my knee. I had to leave when the Zurich relocation happened because of this.

However, it was challenging. I sobbed a lot on my farewell day from Rangers because I had formed so many

wonderful memories and friendships there. I had to consider my career even though I didn’t want to go.

At the time, there was a new coach. I was on loan when they played in the Europa League final, and Gio had other

preferences for other players. That’s typical, but I do recall learning that Michael Beale was back at the club a few

months after I left, and I spoke with my agents about it.

We exclaimed, “Ah, I would definitely play for the Rangers if I was still there with Michael!” Football is an odd

game, and you never know how things will turn out.