Glasgow Rangers made a massive statement by bringing Filip Helander to Ibrox this summer.
With Sky Sports reporting that Rangers have paid up to £3.5 million for Filip Helander, it appears more than likely that Steven Gerrard expects the Sweden international to be a key man for his side during the coming season.
Helander’s arrival was a massive statement from the Light Blues who certainly needed to add to their centre-back options as they look to end their wait for another Scottish Premiership title win.
With Helander coming in, Rangers fans would be forgiven for expecting Nikola Katic to be the man to drop out of the side with Connor Goldson rarely anywhere but right at the heart of the defence during his first year at Ibrox.
It will be harsh on Katic who enjoyed a fantastic end to the campaign after regaining his spot from Joe Worrall. But perhaps there is still an opportunity for the Croatian to keep himself in the side following Gerrard’s latest comments on the club’s new signing.
As reported by Sky Sports, Gerrard has suggested that Rangers will be taking a cautious approach with Helander with the 26-year-old returning to pre-season several weeks after his new teammates have done.
Gerrard suggested that Helander will probably not play in the bigger games while he gets up to speed – and that may open the door for Katic to prove a point before the new signing is fully up to speed.
If Katic is able to replicate the form that he was showing towards the end of last season, it is going to be incredibly difficult for Gerrard to drop the youngster for Helander. And if he can outshine Goldson, then perhaps Gerrard may have to consider being incredibly ruthless and rotating the Englishman out of the side.
It is going to be a tough challenge for Katic during the coming season. But perhaps it is no sure thing that he will be the centre-back to play the understudy role during the early weeks of the campaign.
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