Following on from our appraisal of vice-captain Connor Goldson, fellow centre-back Nikola Katic is next up in our series of Rangers Half-Term Reports.
Just like during his first season at Ibrox, the 2019/20 campaign has been one of cycles for the Croatian defender.
Initially, he looked to be Connor Goldson’s first-choice partner, with the 23-year-old deployed regularly through September and most of October.
Then came the rise of Filip Helander, which saw Katic warming the bench during the latter part of October and for the entirety of November.
Injury to Helander in the League Cup final on 8 December opened the door once again, though, allowing Katic to return and star over the remainder of the month.
The former Slaven Belupo player isn’t yet the finished article. He’s still prone to the odd rush of blood, of thinking he can win every tackle, every header.
However, in general, he’s done a stellar job this season. Even when he dropped out of the side for Helander, it was more down to the Swede’s performances, rather than inadequacies in his own.
Across his 18 starts, the Gers have registered nine clean sheets, with Katic starring in home and away shutouts against Legia Warsaw and playing a big part in ensuring just one goal was shipped in the final four matches prior to the winter break [Soccerbase].
He’s made some big contributions at the top end of the pitch, too.
Way back in August, he netted in the impressive 4-2 first leg Europa League qualifying win away at FC Midtjylland, he scored the crucial first goal in a 2-0 win at Fir Park in mid-December, and then, it was he who stepped up when it counted the most at Parkhead a fortnight ago.
Early in the second half with the game hanging in the balance, he rose highest to meet Borna Barisic’s corner and power home a header to give Rangers their first win at Celtic in nine years.
He’s since earned praise from Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic, who has earmarked him as a future key player for the senior international team [Daily Record].
Katic is a man for the big occasion, and while he didn’t play every week over the first part of the season, he’s certainly making his mark on Scottish football.
