Rangers have been without Katic since the summer due to a long-term injury
Steven Gerrard has provided an update on the rehabilitation of Niko Katic.
The defender has been missing since the summer after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury that required surgery.
Gerrard’s men have lost just five goals in their first 18 Premiership matches as they accumulated a 16-point advantage, but Katic has regularly shown his importance to the side and would provide another option for Gerrard’s men.
The 24-year-old made 59 appearances in his first two seasons at the club, memorably scoring the winning goal in December 2019’s 2-1 win against Celtic.
Now Gerrard has given fans a window into Katic’s recovery.
Speaking to the Glasgow Times, Gerrard said: “He’s throwing a bit of iron about. He certainly lifts a lot heavier than what I throw about, that’s for sure.
“Niko is working as hard as he can. He’s progressing as quick as he can but it’s going to be a patient journey for him.
“Niko wants to be fit yesterday. That’s the way he is, that’s the way he’s built.
“He’s desperate to help. I had a chat with Niko [on Friday]. We’re going to send him back to see his family over Christmas because he’s over here alone.
“It’s going to be a long patient one for him but we need to keep him involved as long as we can.
“It’s very difficult to put a time on [his return] because you know and I know the injury he’s suffered could be anything from seven to 12 months. You can’t cut any corners on it unfortunately so we have to be patient on it.”
Rangers got back to winning ways on Saturday with a 3-1 victory over Motherwell at Ibrox. Gerrard’s men are next in action on Wednesday night when they face St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.
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