Confidence key for Rangers defender Borna Barisic in handing over Europa League penalty

Borna Barisic handed over Rangers’ second penalty against Royal Antwerp to Cedric Itten for the substitute to smash the fifth goal in the UEFA Europa League win.

Borna Barisic of Rangers celebrates with Joe Aribo and Scott Arfield after he scores their fourth goa during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Rangers FC and Royal Antwerp FC at on February 25, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

And the defender says confidence is key for the rampant Rangers squad with Nathan Patterson also receiving a boost with a goal in the absorbing victory.

Croatian international Barisic has no preference of who Rangers are paired to meet in tomorrow’s last-16 draw and says the team firing on all cylinders is more important as the season reaches a crucial stage.

He revealed: “I was to take penalties - it wasn’t agreed with Cedric but he asked me and I thought strikers always need confidence and they get that from scoring goals. I thought it would help him. #

Cedric Itten of Rangers scores his sides 5th goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Rangers FC and Royal Antwerp FC at Ibrox Stadium on February 25, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“It’s a team game and I’d prefer to win and it will help the team to have one more player with confidence in it. He trains hard and he deserves it.

“Nathan is another player to get confidence in the game and I’m pleased for him because he has had problems in the past few weeks, but we need to understand these are hard times.

“Young people need to learn but he has trained hard and got a goal.”

Royal Antwerp made it difficult for Rangers but after hitting nine goals over the two legs, Steven Gerrard’s team is in the next round and Barisic added on BT Sport: “Our biggest strength is our character - not individual players. When we play as a team we are very strong and we showed character.

“I haven’t even thought about the next round - I’m just excited to be there.”

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