Rangers defender Niko Katic made his long-awaited return to action in yesterday’s pre-season friendly draw with Brighton at Ibrox – but Gers boss Steven Gerrard warned he still has a bit to go before he is back involved in the side regularly.
Katic has been sidelined for a year after a serious knee injury sustained during pre-season last summer and made his Rangers return as a halftime substitute against the Seagulls as a sun-drenched Ibrox.
While Gerrard admits it was a “special day” for the Croatian, he needs to be patient with Katic as he is phased back into the first-team fold at Ibrox over the coming weeks.
“It’s a special day for Niko,” he told Rangers TV.
“He’s worked extremely hard over the course of a year. It’s still very early and people can’t expect to see him back regularly just yet. We need to work him in and phase him in.
‘We need to be patient because Niko thinks he’s ready now but we have to respect the injury.
“That 45 minutes today should do him the world of good and I’m really pleased for him.”
Katic’s short-term future at Rangers far from assured
After returning to action yesterday, it is crucial that Katic gets regular football this season having missed so much over the last year.
A loan move for the Rangers star still seems likely despite reports he wants to stay and fight for his place at Ibrox.
Having played 45 minutes yesterday, there could be some minutes on offer for Katic against Real Madrid today as he steps up his return to fitness ahead of the Premiership season kicking off next week.
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