Rangers have ‘axed’ Niko Katic in the most unsurprising development at Ibrox as new signing James Sands arrives from the MLS.

The 21-year old defender comes to Rangers on an 18-month loan deal with exclusive option to buy for potentially his full market value of £4M, but it brings to a certain end Niko Katic’s love affair with the Famous after Sands took his shirt number.

Katic is currently in Croatia, with loan side Hadjuk Split, but some fans had hoped to see his return this month – indeed one or two called it a no-brainer.

But if it had been, the big Croat would have been recalled to Ibrox 5 days ago – instead Sands has arrived, taken his shirt number, and now the former Belupo man has taken his social media down by deleting all posts on it.

We did warn you months ago that sadly Katic would not be returning, and this unofficially confirms it.

As for Sands, he comes extremely highly rated from the USA, and at just 21 he’s viewed as one for now, not the future, and will be likely going into the first team.

Assuming he earns his place, that is.

January is well and truly underway.