BORNA BARISIC insists he has a ‘great’ relationship with Rangers boss Steven Gerrard.

The Croatian appeared to be fighting for his future at Ibrox after being substituted in the behind-closed-doors draw with Liverpool.

Boss Gerrard was critical of a handful of first team players but Barisic has played down doubts over his place in the Light Blues squad.

He said: “This has been taken out of context. The only truth here is that I have been injured and I have found it hard to get into the team that is in great shape.

“We’ve won five in a row and conceded just one goal, so of course it’s not easy to get back into the team. Rangers are a big club with great players and it’s not easy to get back into the side.

“As far as my relationship with the coach, it’s all great with me.

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“I had two weeks out because of my injury with the national team.

“I got back training and played in a friendly match.

“I admit it took me a while to restore my physical condition and that’s very important in the Scottish League.

“Now everything is ok and I feel great. I was on the bench in the last game and we have the derby with Celtic coming up this week.”

Barisic has struggled for form and fitness this term following his move from Osijek last summer and he hasn’t featured for Rangers since the draw with Kilmarnock in March.

The left-back then returned from international duty injured after matches with Azerbaijan and Hungary and said: “Yes, Rangers were angry, but there was a misunderstanding.

“Everything was eventually sorted and now there’s no problem in that regard.

“We play Wales soon and that is a very hard game for us.”