Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has revealed that Nikola Katic's form is the reason new signing Filip Helander has been unable to break into the starting eleven.

Swede Helander joined the Ibrox outfit from Bologna for a reported £3.5m but the centre-half is yet to make an appearance in light blue.

Katic meanwhile has stormed to the forefront of Gerrard's thoughts every time he picks his lineup.

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That's why the Ibrox gaffer has kept Swedish international Helander out of the squad - because Croatian Katic, 22, has made the jersey his own.

Gerrard praised his defender, saying: "Nikola is a player we love and admire and want to help grow and develop and that is happening.

"I think he's moving along very quick and he's come back in a really positive frame of mind after a really strong tournament with Croatia under-21s.

"That's probably why we haven't been able to introduce Filip Helander at the moment.

"I say to these players 'do what you can to keep the shirt', and if you play well more often than not you keep the shirt."