RANGERS outcast Nikola Katic could be handed a Champions League lifeline for his career by lining up against Lionel Messi and Neymar with Israeli side Maccabi Haifa poised to swoop.
The Croatian defender is frozen out at Ibrox after returning from a loan spell at Hajduk Split last season and is expected to leave before the end of the transfer window this week.
And ambitious Israeli champions Maccabi Haifa - who will play against Messi and Neymar-inspired PSG, Juventus and Benfica in the Champions League - have enquired about signing the 25-year-old, either on a permanent deal or on loan.
Hajduk were forced to abandon plans to sign Katic in June because they couldn't reach Rangers' reported asking price back then.
The club's sports director Mindaugas Nikolicius said: "Nikola Katic is no longer with us, the transfer clause is too big for us.
"He is returning to Scotland and we thank him and wish him all the best."
Katic has made a total of 59 appearances for Rangers since signing in a £2 million deal from Slaven Belupo in 2018 on a four year contract, which was extended after just one year under previous boss Steven Gerrard.
But with Rangers well covered in central defence now with Connor Goldson, James Sands, John Souttar, Leon King, Ben Davies and Filip Helander to return from injury, he can leave the club.
Maccabi were handed a nightmare draw after becoming the first Israeli side to reach the group stages of the competition in seven years.
