Nikola Katic nears Rangers transfer exit as he leads 4 Ibrox stars told to find new clubs

Forgotten defender Nikola Katic is among four Rangers players to be told they can leave the club, according to a report.

The towering Croatian spent last season on loan at Hajduk Split after spending more than a year on the sidelines with injury as he ramped up his return to full fitness. The defender has been given a chance to impress Gio van Bronckhorst in pre-season having previously been a first-team regular under Steven Gerrard but hasn't kicked a ball in competitive action for Rangers since before the pandemic in 2020.

With the season just around the corner, the centre-back appears to out of the picture once against at Ibrox with John Souttar partnering Connor Goldson in the friendly clash with Tottenham, before Ben Davies and Leon King started the warm-up fixture 24 hours later against Queen's Park. The 25-year-old did make an appearance off the bench against the behind closed doors clash but The Athletic report the Croatia cap has been told he his free to leave the club this summer.

Misfit defender Jack Simpson is among those who have been advised to assess their options. The 25-year-old made just two starts last season, both coming under previous boss Gerrard.

He appears to be at the bottom of the centre-back pecking order, making just three substitute appearance under Van Bronckhorst. English Championship sides have previously shown interest in the former Bournemouth man.

Stephen Kelly and Glenn Middleton have also had the exit door opened. Kelly spent last season on loan at Salford City, while Middleton remained in Scottish Premiership with St Johnstone.

READ NEXT