A clutch of sides are monitoring Niko Katic’s situation with a view to a loan move to get the Croat finally moving again, with Italian side Spezia leading the chase.
The huge fan favourite has frankly had a bit of a torrid time at Ibrox, from two seasons of losing his place inexplicably to then getting a career-threatening ACLI, the former Slaven Belupo defender hasn’t had the best rub of the green the past year or so.
The Serie A new boys are said to be at the front of the queue to get Katic for a short-term deal just to get the defender up to speed and give themselves a powerful unit at the back to aid their Serie A adventure next season, but a number of SPL clubs, notably Hearts, are also said to be looking at taking him on loan as well.
The reality is, as we’ve preached ad-nauseum on Ibrox Noise, as soon as you go out on loan under this manager, you’re finished – not a single exception in over three seasons in the senior squad has ever gone out on loan and returned to re-establish themselves in the main group.
Once Stevie consents to a loan, your time at Ibrox is done.
At least, that has been the rule up till now – could Katic be the first exception?
Unfortunately for him he’s always been Stevie’s cannon fodder, being dropped for other options however he’s playing, so that in itself doesn’t bode terribly well for his long-term prospects.
And if he goes out on loan his chances at Ibrox, going by history under Steven Gerrard, go close to nil.
But as with it all, time will tell how Katic’s career now develops.
Bad decision in my opinion . One thing about all great Rangers Teams is that there have always been honest hard-working solid CHs . He fits that bill. Surely he is first choice after Goldson and maybe Helander… definitely before Simpson who looks short of what’s needed at this level .
There is some logic to Katic going out on loan for 6 months to get games under his belt. So maybe this loan could buck the trend and he could return fully fit and up to speed to play a key role after the winter break.
Hate to see him go, but Katic’s a young player who wants and needs to play games also to stay in contention for a place on his country’s national team after being out injured so long and missing this year’s Euros. With Goldson, Helander and Balogun around he may find it difficult to play regularly even once he’s fully fit. A (loan) move is probably in his own interest.
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