Rangers had a proper hardman defender in Nikola Katic, a player that would have headered the moon out of the box if he had to.
The big Croatian was a popular figure amongst the Ibrox support and was unlucky to see a serious knee injury derail his career at the club.
Having moved on to FC Zurich, Nikola Katic is still in the wars with an attempted headbutt launched in the 6ft 3inch tall defender’s direction by Taulant Xhaka of Basel in the former’s 2-0 win.
Judging by the picture, it would have been a bit of a one-sided fight.
Katic, famously, came back after the Covid-19 enforced absence looking like a man-mountain, however, his touch and passing ability didn’t really improve.
His balance seems to have taken a knock after his injury though…..
What might have been for Nikola Katic at Rangers
Always known for his physicality, it seemed like he just needed to tidy up on a few technical aspects of his game to be a real asset for Rangers.
Upgrades were found though and Rangers did the right thing in letting the 26-year old head out on loan to get game time and put himself in the shop window.
Of course, he will always have that goal at Parkhead on his CV for fans to remember him by.
A towering header, scored after the softest of penalty awards against him, just rewards for a fine individual performance on the day.
Playing alongside Katic was Roko Simic, Croatia’s latest young star at 19-years old and who was linked with a move to Rangers last year as his contract ticked down.
On-loan from RB Salzburg, who have previous for scouting tall, talented teenage strikers, Simic hasn’t had the season that many predicted with just three goals and one assist.
Simic, after scoring the opener in the 91st minute from the penalty spot was duly booked for his over exuberant celebrations in a win that saw Zurich edge away from the bottom two.
A far cry from the demands of playing for Rangers for Niko but, it looks like it’s no less chaotic.
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