Rangers want to send Nikola Katic on short-term loan, European clubs in pursuit
Rangers are ready to send Nikola Katic out on loan to build up his fitness following a long-term injury, according to the Daily Record.
The 24-year-old central defender missed the entirety of the 2020/21 campaign due to an ACL injury but he began his comeback trail with an outing for Rangers ‘B’ team versus Dumbarton earlier this week.
However, there have been reports that the Gers are set to show him the exit door with the Scottish Sun claiming Ross Wilson has met with his agent and instructed him to find the Croatian a new club.
That suggested he was to be sold but the Daily Record’s latest report claims it would be a short-term loan to grant him regular game time.
Katic would then return to Ibrox after the conclusion of his temporary spell away and compete for a spot in Steven Gerrard’s starting XI as he still has a “big future” with the Gers.
A number of European clubs are said to be in pursuit of Katic, including sides from Italy, with the player and Light Blues set to make a decision on his next destination before the conclusion of the summer transfer window.
Right call
Many Rangers fans were alarmed with the initial news that Katic had no future at Ibrox, so it’s comforting to hear that’s not necessarily the case.
He was a fans favourite before injury robbed him of an entire season, with a winner against Celtic in 2019 the highlight of his time in Glasgow so far.
Central defence is certainly not an area where Gerrard is light on options – Connor Goldson, Filip Helander, Leon Balogun and Jack Simpson are all vying for a first-team berth this season – but Katic deserves the chance to reclaim his spot.
However, it could be a risk for Rangers to allow him to get game time with the Light Blues, and it would be better to send him out on loan for him to readjust elsewhere.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox chiefs are keen on this ‘Magic’ player.