Rangers ace Nikola Katic has impressed at Ibrox – but not enough just yet.
With the first international break of the season upon us, stars from Celtic and Rangers in action for their countries all over the world.
A host of Old Firm stars are with Scotland, whilst Rangers have seen striker Alfredo Morelos head off to pick up his first senior cap for Colombia.
It’s not only Scotland who have players from both sides of the Old Firm in their squad though, as Croatia’s Under-21’s can also say similar about their side.
Celtic’s new signing Filip Benkovic – snapped up on loan from Leicester City on deadline day – and Rangers defender Nikola Katic were both called up by the Croatia Under-21’s for this international break.
Today, they were in action against Belarus Under-21’s, but only one of the Old Firm stars featured in a thumping 4-0 victory in Grodno.
It was Benkovic given the nod in defence, as he partnered new Marseille signing Duje Caleta-Car in the heart of defence, meaning Katic had to settle for being an unused substitute.
Celtic fans may take great pleasure in knowing that Benkovic was picked ahead of a player Rangers supporters have hailed in Katic, but it just goes to show the embarrassment of riches in that position.
Benkovic, Caleta-Car and Katic can all become the next generation of Croatian centre backs after Dejan Lovren, Vedran Corluka and Domagoj Vida – though Bosnian-born Katic could yet switch his allegiance if he so wishes.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
