Nikola Katic has told Rangers fans it “feels good to be back” at Ibrox after a season out on loan in his native Croatia – and both Richard Gough and Jermain Defoe have responded to his Instagram post.
Katic, 25, went on loan to Hajduk Split for the 2021-22 campaign and played 25 times in all competitions. It comes after injury prevented the £2million (Sun) signing failed to play a single game during the 2020-21 season.
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Now fit and raring to go after a nightmare injury spell, Katic provides some much-needed cover at Ibrox after the departure of Leon Balogun. The Gers now have Connor Goldson, Katic, Filip Helander and John Souttar.
Of course, Calvin Bassey too, though he may now operate at left-back after covering in the middle. Katic posted on Instagram from inside Rangers training, underlining his delight to be back at Rangers.
Katic back at Rangers: Defoe and Gough have responded
It might be that Giovanni van Bronckhorst continues to play Bassey at centre-back, after his wonderful 2021-22 form alongside Goldson. It means the Gers might even have a surplus of options there, despite Balogun’s exit.
However, Helander is plagued by injury and the cover is a necessity. Souttar will also be looking to start for the Gers, after a superb campaign with Hearts. He joins on a free. Katic has a year left on his contract.
Whether Rangers decide they have enough options at centre-back and look to let Katic go, or they feel his cover is required, remains to be seen. What is clear, is that Katic is happy to be back and both Gough and Defoe responded.
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