20th September 2018, and Rangers fans were surprised and stunned to Croat favourite Nikola Katic dumped to the bench for Rangers’ trip to Spain to face Villarreal.
Recent loan signing Joe Worrall was started instead, and over the course of the season his inclusion over the fan preference became a huge topic of contention and debate.
Many cited the fact he was a loan, and therefore had an appearance clause, something we know to be true for many if not all loan deals, but it didn’t exactly make his detractors feel much better and gave rise to social meme ‘free Katic’ as the ex-Slaven Belupo man found himself mostly benched.
Fast forward one year, and following his triumphant return to the first team where he’s clearly been the best choice for the back, Nikola Katic once again finds himself bizarrely rejected at the same time, to another player.
The puzzling thing is Steven Gerrard only a few weeks ago confirmed Katic’s form was the reason Filip Helander wasn’t getting game time – and then prior to Feyenoord it was announced the Swede would take his place.
In Helander’s defence, he did well v the Dutch, and fairly acceptably against St Johnstone (for all the potency they had…) – but his awful night last night will only have given Katic’s fans (and there’s a lot of them) even more ammo to decry the absence of him.
To make matters worse, Gerrard favourite Connor Goldson continues to play come hell and high water, no matter how poor his form is, and believe us when we say it’s mostly not good enough.
Last night seemed to be the very ugly epitome of Steven Gerrard making all the same defensive mistakes he did 12 months ago, one exact year on, and breaking up a working defence (despite Goldson’s failings) in favour of one the supporters appear not to favour.
Of course, Gerrard sees these guys every day in training – he has a better idea of who’s in the zone and who isn’t – but Katic’s form this season was undeniable – he was becoming an asset of great value, and just like last year he now finds himself either benched or out of the squad entirely.
And yet, Filip Helander has taken his place, rather than Goldson’s, and last night’s physical tussle which saw Livi’s Dykes destroy both of them in a oner really did scream of a match which needed Katic’s physical prowess.
What’s going on with all this? We really couldn’t tell you.
Unbelievable… I hope the rest of the league destroys them and they end up with clean sheets.
3 clean sheets with Goldson and Helander and still greeting. God help us if we lose a goal,the sky will cave in,ffs
All teams play different against us some want to play football and the hammer throwers want to fight and park the bus.
We are toughening up and winning get ugly, if they want to come and play football we will beat them at football if they want to fight we will beat them at fighting, that's how to win trophies.
100% agree. This is why these guys share their opinion and Steven gerrard is our manager. If Katic gets put back in I can bet my houses that ibrox noise will put the boot in if he makes a few mistakes.
The reason Katic is not in there is not because of his abilities but the conflict he’s got with Gerrards number 1 defender. If they are not communicating then what’s the point. I’d go with Goldson over Katic every time because he’s a talker and leads the line. Why put Katic in there is he’s going to be detrimental.
100% in agreement with Dolly's Braes. Stevie is doing a great job, managing a team that is delivering winning results.
Little doubt guaranteeing playing time comes in to us persuading players to come to Ibrox. And we need to have cover in case of injury. How it is formulated I know not. But we are in Europe , in semis of League cup and have heavy schedule ahead. Some rotation is required. Let’s trust SG. Look at injuries to Kent and Jones. Were you not advocating to forget Kent because we had Jones? Mid field I worry most. Davis and Arfield are great but they are not youngsters. And last nights injury to Aribo adds to concerns. Aberdeen and Hearts shortly. Big hackers. More injuries to follow. Also give Morelos rest against backs against wall teams. Suits Defoe.
I just hope Katic see's out his contract.I feel for him he is a good solid player yes he's young and maybe lacks a bit of experience but he ain't that far behind Helander and Goldson. I always thought he was better than Goldson who in my opinion cannot pass a ball properly. Katic will only improve playing games not on the training pitch but in the first team, GET HIM ON.
I belong to the Free Katic camp, but did Dykes not own Katic as well when we played them in the league?
I dunno, is it simply a 'favouritism' thing? If anyone needs benched for a few games (especially Celtic games) it's Connor. But Edmundson is treated even worse than Katic, in my opinion.
I agree with above it is Goldson that needs a rest
Good observations Katic is a favourite of mine I like defenders who play with his desire and heart . Goldson clearly lacks complete confidence when distributing the ball . I have liked what I've seen of young Edmunson he could be a gem . Hellander a mistake I think
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