Daily Record

Stewart in BBC return

-

MICHAEL STEWART is set for a return to BBC TV and radio.

The pundit was at the centre of controvers­y this month when he lashed out at Rangers PR chief Jim Traynor on air.

His explosive rant was deemed to be a breach of BBC editorial conduct and it was soon announced that Stewart would be suspended.

But a BBC statement confirmed he has agreed to their guidelines and will be available again.

RANGERS fans were welcomed to the party last night as Steven Gerrard insisted Niko Katic is strong enough to bring the spirit of Celtic Park.

Braga is in carnival mode with locals celebratin­g the imminent arrival of Lent but the Light Blues boss does not appear set to give up on the defender.

Katic suffered a crisis of confidence in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at St Johnstone with his worst performanc­e since he signed in the summer of 2018.

It was a far cry from just eight weeks ago when he was hailed a hero for his matchwinni­ng exploits in the 2-1 result at the Premiershi­p champions.

From a peacock to a feather duster but Gerrard is adamant the 23-year-old is made of stern stuff as he called on his side to deliver the best defensive performanc­e of his reign. This season the Croat has formed a partnershi­p with Connor Goldson in the 4-2 triumph at Midtjyllan­d then was up for the fight in a goalless draw at Legia Warsaw and a 1-1 Ibrox stalemate with Young Boys. That is on top of last season when he played in crucial games against Shkupi, Maribor, Osijek and Ufa.

Katic won praise from his manager on the eve of this crunch Europa League second leg, albeit Gerrard refused to confirm if he’d partner Goldson in the Estadio Municipal.

But with Filip Helander injured and George Edmundson a relative novice, Katic is set to be handed the chance to make amends by helping protect a 3-2 cushion and clinch a last-16 place.

Asked about criticism of Katic, Gerrard said: “That is part of being a Rangers player. The praise is good when you score the winner at Celtic Park.

“You have the reverse as people think you are the best thing on the planet and you lap up that adulation.

“I think he enjoyed that so you need to take the rough with the smooth.

“That’s the life of a footballer. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it isn’t. You have to ride the

 ??  ?? BHOY OH BHOY Katic savours winner at Celtic before winter break as plaudits piled on
BHOY OH BHOY Katic savours winner at Celtic before winter break as plaudits piled on

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom