Hutton thrilled for Rangers ‘rock’ Katic after ‘Perfect’ news from Ibrox
Alan Hutton has backed Nikola Katic to return to Rangers “a stronger and better player” after leaving on loan.
The ex-Gers defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Croatian “needs playing time” after his cruciate ligament injury hell.
Rangers confirmed on August 31st that Katic had completed a loan move to Hadjuk Split.
The Scottish giants have included a recall clause as part of the loan terms.
The Croatia international missed the entirety of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Hutton backed the 24-year-old to force a way back into Steven Gerrard’s first-team plans after the loan’s conclusion.
“I think it’s a perfect move for everyone involved,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“I feel for him because he is only 24. He has had a serious injury and has been out for a long time.
“When he played, he looked like a rock back there.
“He probably understands that he needs playing time, and he’s not going to get it at Rangers.
“If you recall back to the start of the window, Gerrard said he needed to move centre-backs on.
“I thought then he would be one to leave, because of his injury.
“If he can go away and get that game time and come back to Rangers, I think he can come back a stronger and better player and fit right into the team.
“Rangers will be monitoring him closely.”
Katic has made 59 appearances for Rangers in all competitions, scoring six – including a winner against Celtic in December 2019.
The Croatian is under contract at Ibrox until 2023.
In other news, Rangers tried to offload this big earner at the end of the transfer window.