Alex Rae admits Nikola Katic’s recent absence from Rangers squad is ‘rather strange’

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Steven Gerrard opted to leave Nikola Katic out of his Rangers matchday squad once again as they beat St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership over the weekend.

Alex Rae has admitted that he found it ‘rather strange’ that Steven Gerrard opted to leave Nikola Katic out of Rangers matchday squad for the second game in a row.

Last Thursday, Rangers beat Feyenoord in their Europa League group game opener and they followed that up by outclassing St Johnstone on Sunday – Katic was left out of both squads.

Ahead of the Gers’ Scottish League Cup clash against Livingston, Gerrard stated that Katic needs to ‘keep going’ if he wants to be selected and that he’ll be in the 18 man squad for Wednesday’s game ‘no problems’, as posted on Clyde 1.

Former Gers man Rae responded to Gerrard’s comments and his decision to leave out the 22-year-old centre-back, as he urged Katic to ‘knuckle down’.

“It is rather strange,” Rae told Clyde 1. “But if Steven Gerrard says he has four good centre-halves [then you need to trust him]. Helander seems to have come in with the big price tag and he has the jersey, at the moment.

“It is bizarre, but at the same token as long as he continues to win, he will be proven right and he will need all these guys going forward.

“I think it needs to be remembered the boy played about 30 games for Rangers last season and he has started the season really, really well. He’s lost his place, at the moment. It’s important with him being so young to knuckle down and try to get back into the team. And then go from there. His objective is to try and be the number one at the club.”

It looks as though Katic will return to the pitch on Wednesday night, as Gerrard’s decision to leave him out of the recent squads has been justified with the wins.

Plus, the games are staking up. Rangers in recent weeks, and in the weeks forthcoming, are in Premiership, Europa League and League Cup action, so Gerrard needs to use his squad.

Nonetheless, Rangers will continue their march to potentially lifting their first trophy under Gerrard by beating Livingston in the League Cup tomorrow.