With everyone and their dog having a go right now at Connor Goldson, we thought we’d have a look and see how Nikola Katic is doing out in Croatia.

We’ve heard varying opinions from obvious ‘experts’ in Croatian football, but it’s better if you look into it yourself.

I don’t claim to be a regular watcher of Hadjuk, but I do trust data, and with that in mind let’s see how ‘badly’ Katic is doing in his homeland:

Interceptions per game  0.9

Tackles per game          1.8

Possession won             0.2

Dribbled past per game 0.1

Clearances per game     4.1

Error led to shot            0

Error led to goal            0

Total duels won            7.2 (65%)

Ground duels won         3.1 (60%)

Aerial duels won           4.1 (69%)

Possession lost              11.4

Those are solid numbers, and far from indicative of a player struggling.

Let’s look at Goldson:

Interceptions per game  0.4

Tackles per game          1.1

Possession won             0.0

Dribbled past per game 0.2

Clearances per game     3.2

Error led to shot            0

Error led to goal            0

Total duels won            5.7 (68%)

Ground duels won         2.1 (64%)

Aerial duels won           3.6 (70%)

Possession lost              12.1

The only three numbers Goldson has a marginal improvement on Katic is in duel success, and it’s only marginal. In every other stat defensively Katic is the superior option. Loses the ball less, clears the ball more, tackles the ball more and is dribbled past far less.

Bear in mind, Croatian football is of a much higher standard, and it’s a lot less physical than Scottish.

Ergo, the decision not to recall Niko is looking like an absolute farce at this point, with Balogun and Helander’s fitness far from reliable and Goldson’s performances likewise.

Of course, we know WHY Katic has been exiled from Rangers (non-football reasons), but it doesn’t make it any easier on a football level. Especially now we have a new manager.

He still deserved a chance.