RANGERS DEFENDER ON SPEZIA RADAR

Rangers defender Nikola Katic is reportedly attracting interest from the Italian Serie A. According to Glasgow Live, Serie A club Spezia are keen on signing the Croatian centre back who’s still working his way back to full fitness after the horrific injury that saw him miss the whole of last season.Katicmissed out on the title-winning campaign masterminded by manager Steven Gerrard.

Katic is on his way back from the serious knee injury sustained last year and a temporary move away from Rangers could aid him in the battle for full fitness though Steven Gerrard will have to sanction the move. Katic has been linked with a transfer to Italian Serie A club Spezia though Steven Gerrard and Rangers officials are likely to sanction a loan move rather than a permanent move for him.

A potential loan move to Spezia gives him the opportunity to play first team football in the new season.Playing time in the Rangers team might be scarce this season having lost his place in the starting XI to the likes of Super Eagles star Leon Balogun, Jack Simpson and Philip Helander due to his long-term injury. While Katic is still rated highly by manager Steven Gerrard and his coaching crew, regular playing time is important if the Croatian defender is to regain form and fitness on time.

Katic was one of the early signingsmade by Steven Gerrard when he became the Rangers manager. He has played 59 times for the Scottish champions in all competitions.Nikola Katic and Connor Goldson formed a potent centre back partnership while the Croatian was in the starting XI.

In a related development, Rangers officials have not approved the offer from English League One giants Peterborough United for George Edmundson who is not a regular in the first team. Edmundson was also affected by the suspension after he breached Covid-19 protocols.