Does Nikola Katic have Rangers future - or has he missed the Ibrox evolution?

Last summer, the 24-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate injury that kept him out of the entirety of his team’s title win. A return was forthcoming this pre-season against Brighton but as yet, Katic does not seem to be a part of this side’s immediate future.

With four centre-backs ahead of him in the pecking order, speculation mounted regarding the Croatian’s future over the weekend. But it’s understood claims that he was told his Rangers career was over are false.

Speaking to Rangers TV this summer, he reaffirmed his desperation to make up for lost time and stated he was ready to show his manager and fans alike how ready he was.

Speaking on RangersTV he said: “I’m desperate, honestly. I lost so much with my injury, I am desperate to play and so excited.

“I’m giving 24 hours a day to be as ready to help the team and prove to the manager and fans how ready I am.

“It’s been such a long time out of the team and struggling with a tough injury but I am happy that’s behind me and I’m ready to go with the team again.”

His manager was keen to celebrate a return after Katic made his first appearance in 16 months, but was equally quick to temper expectations of his output.

He said: “It’s still very early, people can’t expect to see him back regularly just yet, we need to work him in.

“We need to be patient. He thinks he is ready now but we have to respect the injury.”

There is some evident difference of opinion in these two comments, but Katic’s desire to not waste any more opportunity is entirely understandable - as is his manager’s intention to protect his player.

READ MORE: Rangers' transfer window shouldn't be written off as a failure - Joshua Barrie

From the defender’s perspective, he needs games. This is a player who has had a year and a half of football taken away from him after all. But how realistic is it that those games come at Rangers this term?

The feeling of affection between Katic and the fanbase is mutual and has been since he arrived in the summer of 2018. A debut goal in a friendly against Bury followed by some heroic performances to drive the team to Europa League qualification earned the affections of his manager too.

His aggressive, body on the line style, complemented by Connor Goldson’s more modern definition of defence gave a solid foundation to earn passage through a number of tricky qualifiers.

Joe Worrall however was favoured for a good chunk of that 18/19 campaign due to his contribution in possession. It led to a ‘Free Katic’ hashtag in response to each line-up that didn’t feature the Croatian lining up to Goldson in the centre of defence.

Worrall was partial to holding onto the ball for too long – but statistically, his inclusion ahead of Katic was understandable.

Comparison of their radars shows his contribution on the ball was more likely to lead to high-quality chances – but equally demonstrates Katic’s more handsome defensive influence.

The following season, Filip Helander was brought in. Generally considered as the best pure defender at the club, the Swede had an excellent first half of his first season before an injury in the League Cup final. That led to Katic playing the majority of games up until football’s shutdown in early 2020 before his injury.

One of the main arguments against Katic’s inclusion in the side has always been his ability on the ball. When teams sit off Rangers – the challenge is first and foremost to create space before chances and that burden can often fall upon either centre-back.

Goldson has always been the main distributor from centre-back since arriving at the club – but his numbers have improved from 18/19. His xGbuildup per 90 last season was 0.87 while in 18/19 it stood at 0.59.

The signing of Jack Simpson was evidently made with his on-ball ability in view and while Leon Balogun isn’t as good a passer over distance as Goldson, he is comfortable taking the ball into midfield and his own xGbuildup stood at 0.77 last season.

READ MORE: Rangers hero Paul Gascoigne was an enigmatic genius but what was he like to play against?

Derek Clark wrote upon the departure of George Edmundson in pre-season that this was a vindication of Rangers’ ever-improving standards.

Edmundson, a player who made an impact before lockdown, was now not at the level required. However, Katic’s situation is perhaps not quite so black and white.

A loan seems the sensible outcome for all parties. Katic needs more than 10 games this season after the year he has had – but he also needs to develop certain areas of his game if he wants to be considered a first-choice starter once more.

The way in which he moves the ball must improve and perhaps he would benefit from playing as the right-sided centre-back, to avoid always having to cut across himself in possession.

Furthermore, if he was to move on next season, Rangers will be likely to get a better price in a market where value isn’t as depreciated and the defender has a season of first-team football behind him.

An area of Katic’s game more difficult to measure - but of such importance for any Rangers player - is his mentality. He loves the pressure that comes with playing for the club and although not someone who will step out of defence and unlock a defence, he maximises his ability and has always played with desire fans resonate with.

His goal in the 2-1 win against Celtic demonstrated an ariel power which is one of his finest qualities – but it also came off the back of a tricky first half. Katic had after all given away a penalty but became the hero in the second half. He has the mindset needed to succeed as a Rangers player.

Have Rangers evolved past Katic? They are certainly a far better team than in his last start away at Ross County in March 2020, boasting greater options and depth. 

Katic however has played a big part in the journey up until this point.

Perhaps a season of football elsewhere can springboard him back to the big time at Ibrox.