Connor Goldson named Rangers inspiration as Nikola Katic reveals inside track on 'real' Ibrox leader before milestone

Niko Katic was the first of Connor Goldson’s many defensive dance partners at Rangers.

The big Croat didn’t hang around long enough at Ibrox to follow his old sidekick as Goldson pivoted from being strictly second best in Scotland to becoming a multiple trophy winner and Europa League finalist. But the two seasons he did spend shoulder to shoulder with the Englishman were an education in how to lead. It’s five-and-a-half years since Katic and Goldson were paired together as the Steven Gerrard revolution got underway with a goalless draw against Macedonians Schkupi.

That was the first of 299 appearances for Goldson and he remains just as vital to Philippe Clement’s modern-day troupe as he was when Gerrard was choreographing a new routine for a club majorly out of step with Brendan Rodgers’ double-treble winning outfit back in 2018. Now the Englishman is looking forward to a knees-up this weekend as prepares for run-out No.300 when Hearts visit Ibrox.

Katic would love to be there to pay tribute to a man from whom he learned so much. Unfortunately for the 27-year-old, has was forced to depart Glasgow after a devastating knee injury made it impossible for him to keep up with Goldson’s relentless rhythm at the back and he now has duties of his own to attend to with his current club, FC Zurich.

But Katic will pay homage in how own way this weekend as he lines-up for a Swiss league clash against Lugano, putting on a display of the leadership skills he gleamed from his old sidekick during his early days in Scotland.

“I really enjoyed playing with Connor,” Katic told Record Sport. “He helped shape me into the player I am today.

“To play 300 times for a club like Rangers is a massive thing. You have to say, ‘Wow’! I have to