RANGERS are looking for a solution to get Niko Katic game time to get him back up to full speed – with manager Steven Gerrard has dismissing rumours of a permanent transfer for the Croatian as ‘wide of the mark’.
The big defender has missed over a year with a knee injury, but featured for the B Team in their SPFL Trust Cup win over Dumbarton last midweek.
Speaking at today’s press conference, boss Gerrard explained: "We have had conversations with Niko in the last few days. He played a B Team game and managed to play around 70 minutes and come through that which was positive news.
"We are having discussions with Niko now to find the best solution for him in the coming months - he needs to play football and I can't guarantee him those games at the moment so we are trying to find the right solution for the boy in the short-term, but in-terms of people putting two and two together and writing his future off at Ibrox and saying that he is not in the plans or is going to be sold, I think that is wide of the mark.
"We are happy with Niko. He has had a real, serious injury over the last 12 months and more, so now, it is about how can we get him a certain number of games to get him right up to speed and in the best possible place he can be in as there is no getting away from it, it takes time to come back from that level of injury."
If you are unable to attend the match, it will be broadcast LIVE and EXCLUSIVELY on RangersTV around the world including the UK for £9.99.
Clive Tyldesley will be on commentary joined by guest Stevie Smith on co-comms, with Neil McCann and Alex Rae in the RangersTV studio.
Your match pass will also provide live access to Rangers Women v Manchester United at 5pm as they take on another of England’s big names.
Also, make sure you don’t miss out on the Official Matchday Programme which is packed with a number of exclusive interviews with current and former players.
Hear from European specialist Joe Aribo on his ambitions for this tournament, as well as an interview with Kris Boyd. The 68-page programme also includes an exclusive chat with Kevin Thomson, and match columns from James Tavernier and Steven Gerrard.
You can buy your programme for £3.50, online to be posted to your door, at the stadium or via the programme app.