'Unpopular opinion' - Ex-Ibrox defender blasts new Rangers starter, just as bad as flop who left

Jefte isn’t an improvement on Borna Barisic at Rangers and has all the same weaknesses, according to Maurice Ross.

The former Gers full-back reacted via X on 3 October as the Brazilian had a rough night at Ibrox in the chastening 4-1 Europa League loss to Lyon, criticising his performance.

Barisic, 31, left on a free transfer in the summer to move to Trabzonspor along with John Lundstram, while Jefte, 20, arrived on a permanent deal from Fluminense.

Ross wrote: “Unpopular opinion! Replaced Barisic with another full back who looks comfortable, ‘good going forward’, overhits crosses and is suspect defensively!

“Barisic replacement = Barisic”.

Rangers beaten 4-1 by Lyon

Jefte certainly didn’t have his best game for the Light Blues against Lyon but nor did any of his teammates so it seems slightly harsh to single him out.

Of the summer acquisitions it is difficult to say that any have been absolute successes, although Nedim Bajrami is heading in that direction after a disappointing debut.

However, the likes of Jefte, Connor Barron and Hamza Igamane all arrived as part of a new policy under Philippe Clement of targeting youngsters who can develop into key players.

All three have shown positive signs but probably aren’t quite up to standard for the top level yet, and it is as much a failure of the senior players around them, and the club in general, for Jefte and Barron being thrown in against the Ligue 1 side at Ibrox.

Barisic’s crossing was arguably the one area where he excelled, while Jefte has actually seemed more solid in defence than the Croatian and shown signs of why Clement had wanted him back in January when Barisic was still in the squad [Daily Record, 28 January].

Considering the 11-year age-difference, plus 35 international gaps, it could easily be argued that the Brazilian has been an upgrade, and should develop further.

And considering his is actually fit to feature he already has a massive advantage over Ridvan Yilmaz who would have been slated to start in the Europa League had he not been injured.

Barron has been a solid addition in the midfield but also made a massive error against Lyon which was heavily criticised by Ally McCoist [TNT Sports, 3 October] as the limitations that everyone is aware this side has were exposed and some of the promising youngsters were brought back down to earth.

In other Rangers news, the Light Blues have been told to sit down and discuss a Far Eastern takeover of the club.

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