'He puts his body on the line for this club and certainly earned new deal': Steven Gerrard hails Nikola Katic after defender signs contract extension at Rangers.
The 23-year-old central defender has been handed a pay rise for his impressive form since arriving from NK Slaven Belupo last year.
And Steven Gerrard challenged Katic to clear the new deal from his mind and continue his rapid improvement as a Rangers player.
'I am delighted for him,' said the Ibrox manager. 'First and foremost I think he deserves it, he is a player who comes in here on a daily basis and he tries to improve every day.
'He does everything to perfection really in terms of his preparation and I think that comes out in his performances.
'He is certainly someone who will put his body on the line for this club and he has certainly earned the contract extension.
'The message to Niko now is that this is the start again, you reset yourself and you go again and keep trying to play at that consistent level because he has become a fans favourite.
'He has got the utmost respect from my staff and myself. He is a player who we have done all we can to try and help grow and shape and we will continue to do that.'