Rangers centre-back Nikola Katic has spoken about his potential return from injury and has suggested that he is ready to make his comeback, which is a huge boost for Steven Gerrard at Ibrox ahead of next season.
The Croatian defender suffered a horrible cruciate ligament injury in pre-season last year, which ruled him out for the entirety of the 2020/21 campaign, although Rangers were able to rally in his absence, winning the league title unbeaten.
Although you might not expect Gerrard to make too many changes to a defence that conceded just 13 goals in the top-flight last season ahead of the new campaign, Katic has emphasised his class for Rangers in the past and is clearly appreciated by the 41-year-old manager, so there is every possibility that he will be a regular next season if he can get back to his best.
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Katic spoke to Rangers TV recently and provided an update on when he hopes to return, saying:
“It has been such a long time out of the team and struggling with a really tough injury, but I am really happy that all of that is behind me now and I am ready to go with the team again.
“They were great, honestly, and I am very grateful for the staff, the medical, the team-mates, everyone was really good with me. They all knew that I was facing a really tough time but the club always tried to find the way to help me, to get me in a positive mind and connect me with my family.
“We all know it was really difficult last season. They always did their best to try and make me happy and I will always be grateful for that.
“In one side it was really difficult and painful to watch and not be part of that as much as you want to be.
“On the other side, I was truly happy for the team. I am already three years with them and I know how much effort they put in every day and how hard they work.
“I was really happy for them to achieve that and it was no more than they deserved.
“I am desperate, honestly, I am desperate [to get back playing]. I lost 12 months with my injury and now I am so desperate to play and so excited.
“Honestly, I am giving 24 hours per day to be as ready as possible to help the team and to prove to the manager, prove to the fans how ready I am.”
During his time at Ibrox, Katic has made 59 appearances, contributing six goals and three assists, and was labelled “a winner and a warrior” by Gerrard after scoring in an Old Firm derby win in 2019.
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If he can get himself fit in pre-season, then it would not be a surprise to see the 24-year-old centre-back challenge the likes of Connor Goldson and Filip Helander in Gerrard’s side next season, and it is undoubtedly a huge boost to potentially have him back fit in time for upcoming games in the Scottish Premiership and Champions League.
Gerrard will be buzzing to have him back fit and ready to play a full-part in pre-season training.
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