Glasgow Rangers have received a major boost ahead of Saturday's game against Celtic if recent reports are to be believed...

What's the word?

According to The Daily Record, Borna Barisic will return to the Croatia team on Wednesday night. The Rangers left-back has been given the all-clear to face France despite missing both games against Switzerland and Sweden due to injury.

Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic said: "Barišić is fine now, we didn't want to take any risks with him, he skipped those two games, but now he is completely ready and will be ready for the French."

He could line-up opposite the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Kingsley Coman in what will be a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final.

Major boost?

The timing couldn't be any better for the Rangers boss, who already faces the prospect of travelling to Parkhead without Joe Aribo, Filip Helander and Allan McGregor and Kemar Roofe, whilst Alfredo Morelos is also considered a doubt. Gerrard will be hoping the full-back can come through the international break relatively unscathed before the Old Firm derby at the weekend.

Whilst Calvin Bassey gave a good account of himself the other week, the Gers boss will need his side to be at their very best in one of the most hotly-anticipated clashes of the season. And Frank McAvennie has heaped praise on the "magnificent" defender. The former St Mirren forward told Football Insider: “It would have been a massive blow for Rangers to not have him fit."

Last season, the 27-year-old played 22 games in the Scottish Premiership, and scored two goals,  whilst he made an appearance against Dundee United earlier this term, and registered one interception and two clearances, as well as creating three key passes, as per SofaScore, which shows that he is a potent attacking threat as well.

Bassey clearly has bags of potential, but he has never played in such a big game where the stakes have arguably never been higher. In fact, it would be unfair to throw a player of his age in at the deep end. And Gerrard's side will need to be at full strength if they are to come away from Celtic Park with the victory.

So, Barisic will be expected to start on Saturday, assuming the 13-cap Croatia international can come through without any issues. Gerrard will be glad to see the back of the international break, that's for sure.

AND in other news, Steven Gerrard should start Rangers ace Ianis Hagi in Old Firm derby...