HE is born again at Ibrox. At a time of talk of Rangers departures, it is an imminent arrival that is at the forefront of the mind of Borna Barisic.
The song that supporters have for the Croatian - to the tune of 'Karma Chameleon' - has always been an apt fit. His form, after all, comes and goes.
Barisic is very much in the groove right now, though. He has been one of the most consistent performers of the Michael Beale era and he is as content off the park as he is on it.
His fine run of form may well be interrupted this weekend, however, as he prepares to miss the Premiership fixture with Motherwell. It is not a case of Barisic being dropped, but one of a pressing matter at home as wife Anja prepares to give birth to his first child.
Talks with boss Beale will determine whether Barisic lines up at Fir Park or not as his thoughts dart between his football and his future with his new son. A broad smile beams across his face as he discusses his move into parenthood and the excitement and contentment is clear to see.
Barisic has always been an amiable, interesting character and the well-wishes will extend from those in the dressing room to those in the stands. He speaks of the 'big change' that he has been warned to expect by friends and family and becoming a father will no doubt offer a fresh perspective on life for a player who has ticked off bucket list items for club and country in recent seasons.
The last eight weeks have been spent apart from Anja but she will return to Glasgow alongside Barisic Snr and Jnr in time. The situation will naturally have played on Barisic's mind behind closed doors but those who didn't know of the good news that Beale revealed on Sunday afternoon will not have noticed any difference in the defender.
“In one way it is as you need to think about it a lot as it’s our first baby," Barisic said when asked if it had been difficult to be apart from his wife. "I’m separated from her and it’s not easy for me or her. But that’s part of my job.
"In one way it’s harder but in another way I’m very motivated and excited. I’m planning to go home for the birth as she is due this week. We’re having a boy.”
It was in relation to a question regarding Ridvan Yilmaz that Beale made the news of Barisic's impending arrival public. The Croatian had been referenced earlier in the post-match press conference, however, as he was praised for the quality of the 'fantastic' crosses he had produced during the win over Raith Rovers.
Those efforts from open play were not rewarded but it was from a Barisic corner that Rangers broke the deadlock as Connor Goldson headed home just before the break. A Ryan Nolan own goal and Scott Arfield strike completed the win and earned a place in the last four of the Scottish Cup.
💥 An emphatic header from Connor Goldson opens the scoring for @RangersFC. #ScottishCuppic.twitter.com/N6otoFhGKu
— Scottish Cup (@ScottishCup) March 12, 2023
The return of Beale has given Barisic another new lease of life and his form since returning from the World Cup has been integral to the run that Rangers have put together. Both of his goals this season, scored against St Johnstone and Ross County, have come under Beale's guidance and his assist on Sunday was his eleventh of the campaign.
“Maybe a couple of things," Barisic said when asked what had changed for him this term. "I’m very motivated, I’ve settled down here and I’m very happy.
"I had a nice chat with Mick when I came back from the World Cup and made some deals. I’m feeling good. That’s the reason.”
The agreements that were reached in those conversations have been mutually favourable for Barisic and Beale and the 30-year-old has raised his levels as part of a back four that have benefitted from a sustained run of fixtures together.
The one defeat that has been suffered came, of course, at the worst possible time as the Viaplay Cup final was lost to Celtic but Rangers have been relentless in the Premiership and now have another Hampden date booked after their comfortable but low-key win over Raith.
Retaining the Scottish Cup would be a notable achievement for a group that haven't won as many medals as they should have together and the final matches of the term will be the last ones that many play for the club. It will be a summer of change at Ibrox.
Beale hasn't offered any hints that Barisic will be a victim of the overhaul as he prepares to enter the final season of his contract. The left-back is in his prime but has been through enough highs and lows at Rangers to know you must expect the unexpected.
“I’m happy here," Barisic said. "That’s very important to me, that I’m happy, I’m settled down which is also affecting my performances on the pitch.
“What will happen in the future? We will see. You never know in football, I never want to say I will stay or I will leave because you never know and then people say you lied before when you spoke a few months ago.
“So I don’t want to talk about that. The most important thing is that I’m very focused here and very happy."
If Barisic does indeed find himself watching events at Fir Park from afar this weekend, he will see the man that many believed would replace him in the team this term make his first start since October.
The return of Yilmaz was a welcome sight for Beale on Sunday and it was certainly timely. The Turkish international played for 45 minutes in a Glasgow Cup tie against Celtic last week and got a half hour run out against the B Team under his belt before getting competitive minutes into his legs once again.
Beale described the week as ‘challenging’ and ‘difficult’ for Yilmaz as he made significant strides in a short space of time. It has been a stop start season and the former Besiktas defender now faces another test of his quality and character as he attempts to earn and retain the jersey.
“I’m happy that he came back," Barisic said. "Competition in the squad is always good, it’s always healthy.
"There are a lot of players to compete in training and then we play better in every game. It helps us. Every player is different and maybe some don’t need to have someone pushing them for their place and some need it more.
🎥 @RangersFC v @RaithRovers Watch the highlights as the holders confirmed their place in the Men's Scottish Cup Semi-Finals with victory over Raith Rovers.#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/UdAwlf5QCA
— Scottish Cup (@ScottishCup) March 12, 2023
"But I think it’s good to have more competition and sometimes it’s easier also for the coach to change things and to rest some players. It’s important in training sessions too.”
The battle at left-back will give Beale plenty to think about in the coming weeks. At the other end of the park, the main decision has been easier to make in recent fixtures.
The deliberations between Antonio Colak and Alfredo Morelos have fallen in favour of the Croatian in the wins over Kilmarnock, Hibernian and Raith.
Two goals at Easter Road took Colak's tally for the term to 17 and, like his countryman, the 29-year-old is in a good place on either side of the white line.
“I’m very happy for him and he’s also very happy," Barisic said. “He’s come back after two small injuries. Those have settled down a little bit but it’s not easy to come back.
“But he’s back in the team. Antonio is a goal scorer and you can see that he’s very good at that so yeah I’m very happy for him."
