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Rangers were last night closing in on a £2.2 million deal for Croatian full-back Borna Barisic.

Ibrox gaffer Steven Gerrard identified the NK Osijek left back as a signing target after being hugely impressed by his displays in their recent Europa League meetings.

Rangers have now opened talks with his club - and Barisic was a surprise omission from his side’s 3-2 victory over Rudes in yesterday’s Croatian League clash.

It’s understood he was kept out of the line-up as a precaution ahead of a proposed move to Scotland and a deal could even be completed in the next 48 hours.

Gerrard has been looking for a left sided defender and the pace and physicality of Barisic, capped three times for the World Cup finalists, fits the bill.

Barisic, 25, made his country’s 32-man squad before the Russian finals, but didn’t make the cut of 23 although he’s being tipped to play a greater role in the new season.

He scored against Rangers at Ibrox last week and later admitted he would love to play for the club after being bowled over the big match atmosphere.

The former Dinamo Zagreb kid is now set to be granted his wish and will team up with countryman Nikola Katic if all goes well in the coming days.