It hasn’t taken Antonio Colak lengthy to silence the Ibrox critics who rushed to write down him off after simply two Rangers run-outs.
Now Borna Barisic has backed his Croatian compatriot to present the Mild Blues legions one thing to essentially shout about after the striker responded to his untimely panning by banging in 4 objectives in as many video games. Punters and pundits had been responsible of shelling out snap judgments on the previous PAOK poacher after his low-key debut at Livingston.
He was quiet once more as Rangers delivered one other below-par efficiency within the shock 2-0 defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise of their Champions League opener, prompting Ibrox legend Mark Hateley to challenge his brutal “waste of time” verdict . However Colak has rapidly vindicated his persevering with involvement, tucking house one scientific end after the opposite to offer his aspect with an ideal begin to the league marketing campaign in addition to holding them on observe for a return to UEFA’s prime desk.
He bagged the all-important equaliser because the Mild Blues carried out a stirring rescue mission to see off Union at Ibrox and adopted that up with one other essential strike in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with PSV, a outcome that leaves Gio van Bronckhorst ’s squad lastly poised as they put together for his or her last group-stage eliminator on the Philips Stadion subsequent Wednesday.
Together with Premiership objectives in opposition to St Johnstone and Killie, it has been a greater than first rate begin from the previous Malmo man. However Barisic reckons the Rangers trustworthy ain’t seen nothing but from his worldwide pal.
“I’m very pleased for him,” stated the left-back. “Antonio has began very properly for us and I knew he would. He's very pleased to be with Rangers. He brings loads of power to the workforce and has already scored 4 objectives so he's making an excellent influence.
“I'm positive there may be extra to return from him. He confirmed it at Malmo and confirmed it with Rijeka the place he scored 20-plus objectives. From what I can see in coaching every single day he's very centered, very decided and he has listened to the issues I advised him in regards to the membership.
“I simply defined to him in regards to the followers, strain and the eagerness for soccer right here and he has taken all of that in. You'll be able to see how properly he has tailored by the beginning he has made to his Rangers profession.”
Colak has already obtained his supervisor’s backing, with van Bronckhorst exhibiting by deeds and never simply his phrases that he totally trusts the person he introduced in to problem Alfredo Morelos.
Barisic added: “You simply have to take a look at Tuesday’s recreation to see that he stayed on the pitch for the entire 90 minutes when somebody like Morelos is on the bench in order that exhibits the arrogance the supervisor has in him. He can see the power and the standard he can convey so I’m actually happy for Antonio.”
Colak lacks the bulldozing potential that has made Morelos such a handful for defences. However he definitely is aware of find out how to fear keepers with the pin-point accuracy of his capturing. He confirmed that once more on Tuesday night time as he swept house with a wonderful first-time end as Gers went toe-to-toe with Ruud van Nistlerooy’s PSV partly one among their play-off double-header.
His objective and a lucky Tom Lawrence free-kick edged Rangers forward after Ibrahim Sangare had opened the scoring for the Dutch guests however they’re heading to Holland all sq. after a late lapse supplied Armando Obispo the prospect to stage up once more.
“We're dissatisfied that we had been 2-1 in entrance and let that go by shedding a late objective however general we will take loads of positives from the primary leg with PSV as a result of we performed good soccer,” stated Barisic, who was given the nod to begin forward of £4million summer season signing Ridvan Yilmaz.
“We knew earlier than the primary recreation that it was going to be troublesome – there was no manner it was going to be a 4-0 or 5-0. They're an excellent workforce. So we all know what now we have to do subsequent week.
“Initially now we have to deal with Hibs however we all know what now we have to do in Holland and now we have proven in earlier video games that we will carry out properly away from house. We're 90 minutes away from the Champions League – and naturally it's the identical for them. So we are going to go there optimistic and with confidence.”
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