Aston Villa's Kosta Nedeljkovic in action for Rangers with Ibrox Stadium background

Kosta NedeljkovicTung Manh Phan, Breaking Media

Why Kosta Nedeljkovic got told off by Rangers manager in Aston Villa loan latest

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with editorial experience at Football League World. FOCUS Statistical analysis and long-form opinion across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT James utilises data and a network of club contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis. He provides the statistical depth and editorial judgment behind the stories to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

12 Oct 2026, 10:10 am

Kosta Nedeljkovic made his fifth appearance for Rangers after leaving Aston Villa on loan this summer.

The 20-year-old right-back moved to Ibrox on a season-long loan deal back in August.

Rangers do have a conditional obligation to purchase the Serbian international from Villa if certain terms are met.

Nedeljkovic signed for the Villains in January 2024 from Red Star Belgrade, but hasn't quite been able to make the first-team grade in B6.

However, clearly a talented player and still at the relative start of his senior career, he's got every chance of carving out a quality career.

He was afforded his latest chance to show what he can do for Rangers on Saturday.

Why did Kosta Nedeljkovic get a telling off from Rangers manager?

Rangers took on Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday afternoon.

Derek McInnes' Gers side ran out 3-1 winners at Ibrox, as they kept the pressure on Celtic at the top of the table.

Nedeljkovic started the game on the bench, but came on at half-time to replace Dujon Sterling at right-back.

However, judging from how Scottish media reacted to his performance, it doesn't appear as though he had a 45 minutes to remember.

The Daily Record wrote: "The half-time replacement picked up a booking after clattering Greg Kiltie.

"Left all alone at the back as Killie broke away at the death to score a consolation effort through Clescenco.

"Got a ticking off from his gaffer for not passing forward enough. Four."

Player ratings vs Kilmarnock @MitchLR With this week's fan ratings 👀 Pandur - 7 - good strong afternoon, chalk down for the late goal which was little his fault. Commanded his box well. Sterling - 6 - tidy hand from mr consistent this season little to do defensively. Fernandez - 7 - again not much to do defensively first half but had to be alert in the second. Solid afternoon that he sailed through. Makhanya - 7 - similar to manny little to do defensively in the opening half and ensured when legs where tired that by and large the shop was manned. Penrice - 8 - delightful assist for the opener sort of ball that strikers thrive on. Done his work defensively making the exclusion from the national team look even sillier. Neil - 8 - dictated the game in the middle quietly went about scooping up balls and resetting attacking play. Raskin - 6.5 - looked a bit tired from international duty but played a solid game supporting Neil. Gassama - 7 - it’s a very Gassama performance, lots of positivity going forward and making the right moves but the decision making still questionable. Scuffed shot helped Naderi’s second. Min-su - 7 - comfortable and impressive afternoon again lots of attacking flair and ideas you just feel that first goals inching nearer. Naderi - 9 - a well deserved double for a player whose stocks just keep rising. Brilliant on the press and being the right area at the right time while chipping in defensively. Kelsy - 7 - a good afternoon with a goal to boot. It wasn’t the prettiest goal but they all count. Picking up where he left off before the break. Substitutes Nedeljkovic- 5 - played the second half and was just steady. Curtis - 6 - came in for the last 20mins, looked very positive especially going forward, Bouanani,Chukwauni,Miovski - N/A - late subs no time to impact
— The Rangers Journal (@RangersJournal) October 10, 2026

Meanwhile, The Rangers Journal said via X: "Played the second half and was just steady. Five."

BBC Sport's senior Scotland reporter Martin Dowden afforded Nedeljkovic a 5.88 rating out of 10.

So, with Scottish media largely in agreement that Nedeljkovic was sub-par at best against Kilmarnock, are these reflections fair?

Kosta Nedeljkovic proves why he's worth another Aston Villa chance

Why Nedeljkovic media reaction was perhaps slightly harsh

After a busy international break that saw him start three games for Serbia, Nedeljkovic returned to Rangers warm and ready to go.

He's only started one of his three Scottish Premiership appearances this season, as he's yet to carve out a key role in McInnes' squad.

But despite largely negative reviews from Scottish media, his underlying numbers tell a different story on his Kilmarnock performance.

Per FotMob, he completed 18 of his 19 pass attempts at a 95 per cent success rate whilst also making four recoveries.

Nedeljkovic made three tackles and won three of his four ground duels, as well as being dispossessed zero times.

He did, however, pick up a yellow card in the 64th minute and was also inaccurate with his lone cross attempt, which will have impacted his reviews.

Overall though, the data certainly doesn't suggest this was the four out of 10 cameo from Nedeljkovic that one aforementioned media outlet gave him.

Rangers are next in action against Dundee FC at 8pm this Saturday, which is being shown live on Sky Sports Football and Main Event.

Kosta Nedeljkovic

Dundee Football Club

Dujon Sterling

Derek McInnes

Aston Villa Football Club

Celtic Football Club

Rangers Football Club

Greg Kiltie

Kilmarnock Football Club

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