Journalist now names potential £900k-rated Goldson replacement at Rangers; Gerrard loves him

Rangers could look within to Nikola Katic following the impending departure of Connor Goldson, according to Football Scotland. 

Katic will return to Glasgow in the summer when his season-long loan at Hajduk Split reaches its end. It’s not a certainty however, because the Croatian club do have the option to sign him permanently for £3million.

Rangers turned down the opportunity to recall Katic in January, but they are set to lose a centre-back in the summer, with Goldson ‘likely to leave under freedom of contract‘.

It’s worth noting that the Gers have already secured the signing of John Souttar and can also call upon the likes of Leon King, Calvin Bassey and Leon Balogun.

Journalist Ross Pilcher writes that Van Bronckhorst ‘may well see a place’ for Katic after Goldson moves on.

King has ‘shown promise’, he says, but the manager may value ‘the experience’ Katic provides.

As such, the Croatian may ‘still have a role to play’ at Ibrox.

First and foremost, should Hajduk Split be expected to activate their purchase option?

Well, he’s started 17 league games during his loan spell, having joined ahead of match-day eight, so he is valued there.

But £3m is far from small change for the club. In fact, going by Transfermarkt figures, it would far outstrip their existing transfer record of £1.8million. Given that the website only values Katic at £900,000, they may not deem it a worthwhile outlay.

That could see him come back to Rangers, for whom he’s made 59 appearances and scored a memorable goal at Parkhead.

Katic could count former boss Steven Gerrard among his admirers, judging by an exchange between the pair when he moved to Aston Villa. In reply to a farewell message from the defender, Gerrard wrote: “Love you, kid.”

And the