Borna Barisic should consider leaving Rangers for a higher standard of league.
That's according to compatriot, friend and former Gers striker Nikica Jelavic.
Barisic ’s tearful exit from the pitch after Sunday’s Old Firm victory over Celtic led many to speculate that he’d played his last game for Rangers.
Assistant manager Gary McAllister didn’t exactly dismiss the notion afterwards amid links with a switch to Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
But the Croatian left back stayed put and will continue to aid Steven Gerrard’s title defence.
But Jelavic believes his mate has to at least think about going elsewhere - not to upgrade on Rangers, but the league he’s playing in.
“I’m friends with Borna, we’re very close,” Jelavic told the Daily Record.
“There are always speculation and rumours because Borna, if you ask me, is one of the top five left- backs in Europe over the last couple of years.
“He has been playing a very high level of football. But I think he definitely needs to think about moving on.
“It’s not about moving to a bigger club because Rangers are one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“It’s more about achieving in a better league than the Scottish Premiership. He has the quality.
“But the fact he did not leave is only a positive for Rangers.
“He’s a very good player and a top lad too.”
Jelavic is also sure the Nikola Katic has a future at Rangers.
The defender joined Hajduk Split in his homeland on a season-long loan with an option to buy.
Katic needs regular playing time after a lengthy injury lay-off and despite Split being able to make the move permanent if they want to, Jelvaic is convinced that the centre back will return to Ibrox next summer.
“I’ve been texting Niko today to say welcome back,” he revealed.
“It’s a very good move for him. He hasn’t played much for a year and that’s a very long period.
“So he has made a good choice in coming back here.
“The Croatian league is a very good level and Hajduk Split is a big club in this country. It will be very good for his progress.
“Obviously he has to get his fitness back but this should get him the game time he needs.
“I haven’t spoken to him about what will happen next season but he’s still got a long deal in Scotland and Rangers are definitely one big step ahead of Hajduk Split.
“So if he can play a whole season in Croatia he can definitely go back to Rangers and be one of the key players.
“I know Niko’s passion, I know his quality for football.
“He’s a fighter and Rangers need that kind of a player.
“From talking to him, I know he likes the club very much so I think he’d love to go back.
“I’ve seen people go through these kinds of bad knee injuries so I know how difficult it is when you are kept out for a whole season and more.
“I gave Niko some advice and told him he has to be strong and has to stay strong in his head.
“But Niko has that mental toughness so I’m sure that this season with Hajduk Split he will play all the games.
“The only thing he has to be careful with is new injuries because when you don’t play for such a long time, sometimes you can pull a muscle or something.
“But Niko is definitely a mentally strong lad so he’s ready to come back and play again.”
