2019 loss is as low as I’ve felt
Nikola Katic hopes Rangers’ current crop don’t get to sample the “s***” atmosphere in the Hampden dressing room after losing in an Old Firm Cup final.
The Croatian started in the club’s last League Cup final in 2019 when Steven Gerrard’s side lost 1- 0 to Celtic.
Katic says it was as low as he’s felt in football.
A controversial Christopher Jullien’s winner clinched it for the Hoops on a day Rangers missed numerous chances.
Alfredo Morelos was denied several times by the impressive Fraser Forster who also saved a penalty from the Colombian following Jeremie Frimpong’s red card.
The sides meet in today’s Viaplay Cup final at Hampden with the bulk of the Rangers squad who started that heartbreaking defeat still in place under Michael Beale.
They’ll be hopeful of getting one over on Ange Postecoglou and Celtic and can take a cautionary tale from Katic’s recollection of the last time they were there.
He said: “I had doping control at full-time but when I got back in the dressing room everyone was down, it was really s***.
“As a team, I don’t think we got lower than that as we were so close.
“I knew our time was going to come but it’s difficult to say when that will be after you build and build. You think it’s finally there for you – then you are left disappointed.
“Alfredo felt really bad. You could see it in him.
“But no one blamed him for this game or thought he didn’t care.
“The next game was Young Boys at home and we had to get a result to go through to the Europa knockouts. He scored and apologised to the fans when he celebrated.”