Papac offers up his scouting services to help Gerrard’s Gers
becoming Rangers’ manager but Papac insists he could source more talented but inexpensive players in the region, although he stressed he was not involved in three ventures Gerrard has already made into that market.
“Not yet – that’s not my job,” he said. “If I can help them, though, then I will, because players from Croatia are interesting clubs from all the big countries, especially since they reached the World Cup final.
“You can find some good players there and they aren’t too expensive either, which is important. It’s a good market for the future.
“Katic and Barisic came over and, of course, Grezda signed from Osijek. Scouting and watching players is not my job, but, in future, who knows? I have no job right now and I am waiting.”
Papac has some experience in sourcing emerging players, having until recently been the director of football for FK Zeljeznicar Sarajevo.
He looked as though he had never been away as he played for 90 minutes in former Rangers team-mate Kris Boyd’s testimonial match at Rugby Park on Saturday.
Then again, he is never away from Scotland for too long.
“It was great to see all of the lads again,” he said. “It was also nice to be back at this venue. We won the league here on the last day of the season in 2011 – the last big trophy Rangers won.
“We scored three goals in the first seven minutes and beat Kilmarnock 5-1 to finish one point ahead of Celtic.
“I come back two or three times a year. I watch Rangers games every season. Last time I was here was back in May, when we celebrated 10 years since the UEFA Cup final. I still watched the games when we were in the old Third Division.
“This is my club. I will support Rangers to the end of my life. It’s fantastic to see Rangers playing European football again. I watch every single game on television at home and it’s great to see those big nights back at Ibrox.
“With Rangers’ Europa League group, every team has a chance to take the next step. The next two games – at home to Villareal and away to Rapid Vienna – are really important.
“I am very surprised that the team has done so well in Europe this season but I am enjoying it.”