Fan-favourite linked with summer Ibrox exit

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.