Rangers centre-back Nikola Katic has been linked with a move away from Ibrox in recent weeks but it would be a mistake for Steven Gerrard to let him go.

What's the word?

According to The Daily Record, the Croatian centre-back has been told that he has no future at Ibrox, after he missed the entirety of last season's Premiership title-winning season through a cruciate ligament injury.

Despite making his return to first-team action in a pre-season friendly against Brighton, and also playing 70 minutes in the B team's win against Dumbarton last week, it seems that he is not in Gerrard's plans, with The Scottish Sun also claiming that the Gers are set to show him the exit door, after Ross Wilson met with his agent.

Would it be a mistake to sell Katic?

Although Gerrard is well-stocked at centre-back, with Connor Goldson, Filip Helander, Leon Balogun and Jack Simpson all likely to be regulars there at different points this season, recent defeats against Malmo and Dundee United have exposed Rangers' defensive frailties.

After going last season unbeaten in the league, conceding just 13 goals, Rangers fell at the second hurdle this time around, whilst the embarrassing 2-1 home defeat against 10-man Malmo in the Champions League suggests that they are vulnerable at the back.

Therefore, it would be a mistake by Ross Wilson to sell a fan's favourite in Katic, as the 24-year-old was one of Gerrard's key players in the 2019/20 season, making 19 appearances and contributing two goals, one of which came in an Old Firm derby win.

The 41-year-old manager is clearly a big fan of Katic when he is fit, as he sang his praises after that winning goal against the Hoops, saying:

"The kid is a winner and a warrior. We know what he gives. Anyone his age, after giving the penalty away, might have gone into their shell. It might have affected their performance.

"But if you knock Niko Katic down, he’s gonna get back up and come again. That’s the man, that’s the player."

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Therefore, the Croatia international deserves a chance to show what he can do once he regains his fitness, and perhaps a loan move away might make more sense than selling him permanently, as there's no reason why he can't reclaim a starting spot at Ibrox again in the near future.

Wilson is heading for a Rangers howler by letting the £10k-a-week earning Katic go this summer.

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