STEVEN GERRARD hopes Rangers can find the right solution that will allow defender Nikola Katic to kickstart his career following a year on the sidelines.

The Croatian hasn't played a competitive game for Gerrard's side since the 1-0 win away to Ross County last March after suffering a serious cruciate knee ligament injury that ruled him out of the entire 55 campaign.

Katic turned out for the Rangers second string against Dumbarton last week but is behind Connor Goldson, Filip Helander, Leon Balogun and Jack Simpson at first team level.

A summer exit is now on the cards for the 24-year-old but Gerrard won't write off Katic's Rangers career just yet as he looks to find a move that will enable him to continue his progress on the road to recovery.

Gerrard said: "We’ve had conversations with Niko in the last few days. He played a B team game and came through around 70 minutes, which is positive news.

"We’re having discussions with Niko now to find the best solution for him in the coming months. He needs to play football.

"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.

"In terms of people putting two and two together and writing his future off at Ibrox and saying he’s not in the plans or going to be sold, I think that’s wide of the mark.

"We’re happy with Niko. He’s had a real serious injury over the last 12 months and more.

"Now it’s about how we can get him a certain amount of games to get him right up to speed and to the best place he can be in.

"Because there’s no getting away from it, it takes time to get back from that level of injury."