Rangers loan-to-buy deal presented to Ibrox officials, defender tied in
Rangers were offered the chance to sign Nikola Katic on loan with an option to buy, says Craig Moore.
The Gers have been in need of defensive reinforcements this window, especially after John Souttar, Leon Balogun and Neraysho Kasanwirjo suffered frustrating injury blows.
As a result, it does come as a surprise that the Light Blues would be willing to turn down potential additions but that appears to be the case with the 28-year-old.
Former Ibrox defender and pundit Craig Moore has revealed to GoRadio (27 January) that the Bosnia and Herzegovina defender was offered to the Govan club but a move was turned down.
He said: “I try to be as honest and transparent as I possibly can. Katic is a player I presented to Rangers at the start of the window. Katic was a fans’ favourite, who done well at the club until he picked up his ACL injury.
“He then went to chase football elsewhere, I think originally in Croatia and has continued to grow at Zurich. A big, solid defender but there was no interest so I imagine at this stage there is still no interest otherwise I’d have had a call, which I haven’t.
“28, 6 foot 4 and loves to attack the ball. It is important in terms of both boxes with set pieces for and against and how important they are. It doesn’t look as if the situation is going to go any further because I got a very swift ‘not for us’.
“At the time when he was pushed, it was a loan with an option [to buy] we were looking to explore. But we didn’t get to the table.”
Rangers rejected chance to sign Nikola Katic
It is fair to say that Philippe Clement’s side are in need of a centre-back option before the January window slams shut on 3 February.
Although Clinton Nsiala has done well to cover at centre back in recent weeks, if another injury issue crops up, there will be a crisis on the Belgian head coach’s hands at Ibrox.
As a result, it is strange to see that the Light Blues would reject an offer to bring a defender in with an option to buy him at the end of the season.
Katic may not be at the required level to start week-in-week-out for the Gers but as an option to fill in during a rough patch, a fan favourite could be a useful addition.
There would be an acceptance from fans that despite not being a deal to blow them away, the Govan club are in need of a player to fill that position right now.
Realistically Clement and Co. need to bring a new defender in before the winter window ends or risk being left with egg on their faces.
In other Rangers news, Sky Sports have revealed the SFA’s decision on the appeal against Mohammed Diomande’s red card.
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