NIKOLA KATIC is delighted to have Croatian countryman Borna Barisic alongside him at Ibrox.

The left-back became the 11th signing of the summer for boss Steven Gerrard when he completed a move from Osijek and put pen-to-paper on a four-year contract with the Gers.

Barisic cost just £1.5million and Katic admits the influence of Gerrard was key to making the deal happen.

Katic said: “He spoke with me before he joined. I had a good chat with him after the second leg.

“He told me the moment the gaffer called him he just wanted to come here.

“He is delighted to become part of this club. He is a terrific player and he would have been at the World Cup with Croatia if he hadn’t got injured just beforehand.”

Katic has impressed since making his own move from Croatia to Glasgow earlier this summer as he has quickly become a key part of Gerrard’s plans.

He has formed partnerships with fellow recruits Connor Goldson and Jon Flanagan in the new look Gers defence.

And the 21-year-old is grateful for their support on and off the park as he has settled into life at Ibrox this term.

Katic said: “It is important and they have both really helped me.

“Conor has a lot of experience and he is always giving me instructions, trying to make life easier for me.

“He also speaks with me off the park all the time.”