uneasydaz
Well-Known Member
STEVEN GERRARD has allowed Nikola Katic to return home and skip Rangers' final game of the season.
The Croatian defender, 22, will join up with his national team on June 3 ahead of the European Under-21 Championship.
It means Katic will have no part to play against Kilmarnock on Sunday after putting in a great performance against Celtic.
Speaking to Croatian publication Sportske in his homeland, he said: "Due to the European Championships, Gerrard let me go on holiday a week earlier than the rest of the team.
The coach gave me a work programme to do while I'm preparing for the championships, but the emphasis is on the holiday at the moment."
Katic has enjoyed his first season at Ibrox after making 30 appearances in all competitions - with Rangers losing just TWO of those games.
But he admits it was still difficult for him at times as he adjusted to life in Scottish football.
The defender said: "There were ups and downs. It started well, I was playing constantly but then two new defenders came in and there was a lot of rotation.
However when I add it up, I played 30 games in all competitions this season. We didn't concede in 15 of those games and only lost twice.
"So my statistics are really great. It was my first season at this great club and when you play for such a club, the pressure is enormous.
"So overall, everything was okay."
Katic freely admits that he wasn't happy at first after being left out in some games.
But he insists he has a great working relationship with Gerrard and understands the manager's reasons for not always picking him.
He said: "I used to be angry when I didn't play as I thought I deserved to.
"But I need to be realistic, I had some weaker matches so I was on the bench for a reason.
"I have great respect for Gerrard and he has a great relationship with Gerrard.
"Working with Steven Gerrard and his staff is a pleasure."
The Croatian defender, 22, will join up with his national team on June 3 ahead of the European Under-21 Championship.
It means Katic will have no part to play against Kilmarnock on Sunday after putting in a great performance against Celtic.
Speaking to Croatian publication Sportske in his homeland, he said: "Due to the European Championships, Gerrard let me go on holiday a week earlier than the rest of the team.
The coach gave me a work programme to do while I'm preparing for the championships, but the emphasis is on the holiday at the moment."
Katic has enjoyed his first season at Ibrox after making 30 appearances in all competitions - with Rangers losing just TWO of those games.
But he admits it was still difficult for him at times as he adjusted to life in Scottish football.
The defender said: "There were ups and downs. It started well, I was playing constantly but then two new defenders came in and there was a lot of rotation.
However when I add it up, I played 30 games in all competitions this season. We didn't concede in 15 of those games and only lost twice.
"So my statistics are really great. It was my first season at this great club and when you play for such a club, the pressure is enormous.
"So overall, everything was okay."
Katic freely admits that he wasn't happy at first after being left out in some games.
But he insists he has a great working relationship with Gerrard and understands the manager's reasons for not always picking him.
He said: "I used to be angry when I didn't play as I thought I deserved to.
"But I need to be realistic, I had some weaker matches so I was on the bench for a reason.
"I have great respect for Gerrard and he has a great relationship with Gerrard.
"Working with Steven Gerrard and his staff is a pleasure."