Borna Barisic on the Rangers watching brief that fuelled his stunning return to form

Borna Barisic reckons Rangers stunning run to the Europa League semi final has left European football doing a double take.

But the Croatia international isn’t done yet as he sets his own eyes on a Treble.

A massive week at home and abroad sees Gio van Bronckhorst ’s side head to face RB Leipzig in the Euro semi final on Thursday in between Premiership clashes with Motherwell and Celtic.

Should results at home go in Rangers favour they could even have pulled level on points with the Hoops by the end of next weekend.

Barisic was one of Steven Gerrard’s first signings in August 2018 at a time when the Ibrox club had gone six years without a domestic trophy on their journey back from financial turmoil.

And he’s proud to have played a part in re-establishing the club’s standing.

Rangers' Borna Barisic has hailed his sides run in Europe. (SNS)

The full-back said: “I spoke to a couple of people when I came to Rangers. When I joined I knew how tough a time the club had had.

“But I also knew how this club was before that. This club is now back there. I am very proud to have been part of that.

“This Europa League semi is a great achievement not only for the players but for the club, for the fans.

Because we are now back in Europe, everyone recognises us and knows that we are capable and have a very good team.

“It was a huge week and we are absolutely delighted with what was probably our best week this season and with two titles still to achieve.

“The league is also still there so we are still thinking about that.

“There are a couple injuries of course and that is not good for us, but this is football. We cannot effect that.

“We will stick together and we have a lot of good players within our squad. Whenever you see someone come in, they always help out the team and that is the most important thing I think.”

Barisic dropped out of van Bronckhorst’s starting XI for a spell after fitness and form issues culminated in him being hooked at half-time in the 3-0 defeat to Celtic in February.

But he’s back close to his best as Rangers prepare for a defining few weeks.

And he said: “I’m very happy. I didn’t play for a couple of games, but I was always doing a lot in training, waiting for a moment like this to try and help the team. I knew that moment would come.

“I think I have used that very well and I am very happy I have been able to help the team in those games.

“This is not the first time something like that happened to me. It’s normal in every sport. In life you have ups and downs.

“The most important thing in moments like that is that you train very well, you do your best and know always that your time will come.

“That’s what happened to me this time. It’s not easy, it’s tough, but if you want to be at a level it’s something you need to do.”