Rangers defender Nikola Katic is intent on making a big Rangers impact next season after winning his place back in Steven Gerrard’s starting eleven.
The Croatian defender started the season as a consistent selection in Gerrard’s team alongside Connor Goldson but eventually lost his place to Joe Worrall.
Recently though he’s come back into the equation, featuring in the recent 3-0 win over Motherwell and this weekend’s 3-1 win over Hearts, a match he also scored in.
In the wake of the Tynecastle win, the 22-year-old has revealed he’s had to adapt massively to the game in Scotland but is now eager to help the Gers win trophies next season.
As quoted by The Daily Record, Katic said:
I am here and I will give 100 per cent in every training session and every game, so I will keep doing that and wait for the manager to decide what he wants.
But I am really pleased to be playing for Rangers. It is a massive club and, of course, I want to stay here.
To be honest, when I arrived here, I didn’t expect the tempo of the game. It is really high in Scotland. I think I have improved very much with the ball and can now play in much cleverer way than I could play when I arrived.
But, of course, I have had to become stronger, too.
When you compete against strikers like Uche Ikpeazu or Sam Cosgrove, then you need to improve.
The addition of a physical edge to his game was clearly on display at Tynecastle and the signs are good he can form a classy partnership with Goldson heading into the summer European qualifiers.
Gerrard will likely need to sign another centre-back with Worrall heading back to Nottingham Forest and Gareth McAuley’s contract expiring, but he can at least be happy that he has two strong first-team performers ready to go for next season’s trophy push.
Is Katic a viable starting defender next season? Share your thoughts in the comments below…