Nikola Katic started for Rangers as they secured a comfortable win over Livingston in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
Kris Boyd has praised the much-criticised and ‘under pressure’ Rangers defender Nikola Katic for his performance during his side’s 3-0 win at Livingston on Sunday.
The 22-year-old returned to Steven Gerrard’s starting XI for the Scottish Premiership clash and he didn’t disappoint by helping his team to three points and a clean sheet.
Katic, who had not started a league encounter since November [transfermarkt], didn’t look out of place as he eased through the game.
Kilmarnock forward Boyd sang the praises of the young defender, who was previously finding it difficult to prove his worth at Ibrox.
“I thought Katic did really, really well today,” Boyd told Sky Sports Football on 27/01/2019. “Considering the criticism he has come under, he came into this game under pressure and he performed and done well.
“It wasn’t the best of performances from Livingston, but he still had to go and do his job. He competed, he won his headers and had young McCrorie there protecting him.”
The Croatia international was a £2 million summer signing for Gerrard following his move from Slaven Belupo where he put pen-to-paper on a four-year contract, according to the Scottish Sun.
At first, he was thrown straight into the action by Gerrard in both the Europa League qualifiers and the Scottish Premiership games.
Over the course of the season, the highly-rated centre-back has played 21 games in all competitions for the Gers, scoring two goals in the process, according to transfermarkt.
He will be hoping to keep his place in the starting XI when Rangers travel to Cowdenbeath for a Scottish Cup encounter on Wednesday night before they start February with a home clash against bottom-of-the-table St Mirren.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
