Nikola Katic has pulled on a Rangers shirt for the last time.
That’s according to Football Scotland, who reported today that the big centre-back – a £2 million signing under Steven Gerrard [Scottish Sun] – would be leaving Ibrox ‘soon’.
The report added that although there’s no immediate likelyhood of leaving Glasgow, a departure is definite.
In July, it was suggested by his agent that Katic could wind up staying with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side for the 2022-23 campaign.
But it’s clear that the Dutchman does not have him in his plans and leaving Scotland is the logical scenario, having spent last season on loan at Hajduk Split in Croatia.
Honestly, keeping him wouldn’t be a bad idea.
If Rangers can’t source an exit for Katic then keeping him is definitely a better option than terminating his contract.
Remember, this is the same player who stole the Gers’ fans hearts with a winner versus Celtic under Gerrard a couple of years ago for what was their first victory at Parkhead for 10 years.
Sentiment isn’t any reason to retain a player’s services – he can also defend.
If not for an injury which destroyed his entire 2020-21 campaign, Katic might still have been a regular fixture under Gerrard up until the point that the now-Aston Villa manager quit last year.
There’s no denying that he’s been unlucky at Rangers and maybe, just maybe, he could still be a valuable squad player under Van Bronckhorst.
Whether he wants that sort of role, however, remains to be seen.
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