Mark Warburton: Rangers need to keep the fire lit within Niko Kranjcar

[ian1964 10,596]

FORM is temporary, class is permanent. In the case of Niko Kranjcar, it was his fitness and attitude that were in question rather than his ability.

 

Boss Mark Warburton never had any fears, though, and the Croatian has already gone some way to convincing any doubters amongst the Rangers support.

 

A second half cameo against Motherwell on Saturday was followed by an hour in the win over Annan on Tuesday night as Kranjcar has made an immediate impression in Light Blue.

 

It is, of course, still very early in the campaign and there will be far greater challenges to come for the former Portsmouth and Tottenham star, but the initial signs have given Warburton and the Ibrox crowd plenty of reasons to be encouraged.

 

The Gers boss spent time in New York with the midfielder earlier this year and convinced him to make the move to Ibrox.

 

And he is confident there is plenty more to come from one of his highest-profile signings of the summer.

 

Warburton said: “I just saw a very talented player. You look at where he was before – was it the right environment for him? I don’t know.

 

“He went back to Kiev and I believe they had a really settled squad doing well. When that happens you are loathed to change it.

 

“I think he found that bit hard. You want to hear it for yourself. I went to New York and had dinner with him and knew within 10 minutes that the fire still burnt very strongly.

 

“What we need to do is make sure we keep that fire well lit. If there are 50,000 at Ibrox, that’s the kind of stage where talented players want to play.”

 

Kranjcar, as you would expect, looked a class apart as he dictated play on Tuesday night, a series of quick turns, neat flicks and precision passes earning him a standing ovation as he was replaced by Joey Barton.

 

Warburton knows there were pre-conceived judgements about him signing a 31-year-old from the North America Soccer League but Kranjcar insisted he had the heart for the fight in the Premiership when he put pen-to-paper on his Ibrox deal last month.

 

And the Ibrox boss is pleased to see his summer signing catch the eye in his first outings as preparations continue for the Gers’ top flight title challenge.

 

Warburton said: “He’s 31 and has 81 Croatian caps. If we can get him to where he can be he can add to those.

 

“What a talent he is. He showed that [on Tuesday night] and the boys responded.

 

“He’s working really hard, the staff are working really hard with him as are the players.

 

“Touch wood, he’ll keep improving but the technique and talent is unquestionable.

 

“That’s a massive discussion. A player could turn round and say to you ‘I’ve always had calf problems’.

 

“Why? Has it always been that every six weeks you pull your calf? If so, what can we do here in terms of strengthening, core or whatever it takes.

 

“Sometimes you can get pre-conceived ideas. The obvious thing is, you play on Friday then it’s Astroturf… that won’t suit him. Well why not? We train on it in here enough times.

 

“As a manager you can get lulled into this thing – 30 plus, Astroturf. I’m not sure.”

 

Having seen Kranjcar take a starring role and given Barton a rousing welcome to Glasgow, Rangers fans will soon get the chance to witness another of Warburton’s new recruits in action.

 

Midfielder Jordan Rossiter has been one of the stand-outs for the England Under-19s as they have progressed to the semi-finals of the European Championships this summer.

 

And Warburton is keen to see the former Liverpool protégé in Light Blue when he brings his national service to an end.

 

Warburton said: “He’s playing against Italy [today] in the semi-final with the final on Sunday so Jordan will be back here no later than Monday – and I hope for his sake it’s Monday.

 

“He’s had a great tournament. The feedback has been really positive and he has been keeping some really good players out of the team.

 

“So we will be getting a player back who is match fit and on good form which is good news.

 

“He will come straight back in and he wants to because he has signed for a new club. He’s keen to play.

 

“He missed a chunk of last season at Liverpool with an ankle injury so he’s a bit like Waggy. He’s desperate to get going and he’s had his holidays.

 

“If England do well the he is in the World Cup next May so that’s something we will have to look at in terms of his load next summer.”

 

With Rossiter to return, Matt Crooks recovering from injury and two more additions still to be made, the Rangers squad is all-but complete for the new campaign.

 

Warburton has added strength and depth to his Ibrox ranks and now he has competition for places and a strong hand to play in the Premiership.

 

He said: "One of the big things over the summer was to look over our shoulders at the options from the bench.

 

"On Tuesday night on the bench we had Kenny Miller, James Tavernier, Joey Barton, Harry Forrester, Jason Holt and Wes Foderingham so we’re in a good place.

 

"The bench is stronger and the squad is definitely stronger. We’re pleased with the balance so far although it’s got to gel yet."

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/14631792.Mark_Warburton__Rangers_need_to_keep_the_fire_lit_within_Niko_Kranjcar_for_him_to_shine_on_the_Ibrox_stage/

[Frankie 8,308]

A very positive interview.

 

Lots to look forward to!

[JFK-1 1,691]

The midfield is already becoming so packed with quality some including the media tend to forget we still have Rossiter to come into the mix and he should return fully match fit and ready to go.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

We are strong in the middle of the park no doubt about it. Kranjcar may not be the man for every game. Though we will have to see on that.

[pete 2,499]

We are strong in the middle of the park no doubt about it. Kranjcar may not be the man for every game. Though we will have to see on that.

 

If Celtic keep going with Scott Brown he will be running round in circles trying to get a kick of the ball or any person he can get near enough to. Our passing game will pass him by.

[JFK-1 1,691]

If Celtic keep going with Scott Brown he will be running round in circles trying to get a kick of the ball or any person he can get near enough to. Our passing game will pass him by.

 

Everything I have heard from Rodgers so far seems to indicate he will stick with Brown which to me indicates they just can't bring anything else in. I saw their match last night online and i'm sure I heard their own fans boo him when he took a shot at goal and it went high over the bar. He's going to be in a comical state when Barton is pushing him around and even his own fans boo him.

[ian1964 10,596]

The midfield is already becoming so packed with quality some including the media tend to forget we still have Rossiter to come into the mix and he should return fully match fit and ready to go.

 

Agree,however I am reluctent to think a 19 year old will be our saviour!,he is a prospect but he will also find it difficult to command a regular start,IMO.

 

Rossiter will be playing today so we can have another look at him,he is quality but still very young!.

 

England U19 v Italy U19

UEFA Under-19 Championship Semi-Final

11:00

British Eurosport 2 / British Eurosport 2 HD

[JFK-1 1,691]

Agree,however I am reluctent to think a 19 year old will be our saviour!,he is a prospect but he will also find it difficult to command a regular start,IMO.

 

Rossiter will be playing today so we can have another look at him,he is quality but still very young!.

 

England U19 v Italy U19

UEFA Under-19 Championship Semi-Final

11:00

British Eurosport 2 / British Eurosport 2 HD

 

I hope he does find it hard to get a starting spot because that would mean others were playing so well he coudn't get in. Chances are he will still get regular pitch time due to the managers passion for shaking things up on the hour mark and he could always be fresh legs to replace one of the older guys or give us another dimension at the right time.

 

Another I want coming in as quickly as possible is Crooks because at 6 foot 5 inches he really does add another dimension we have been lacking both defending and attacking. The following article says he is 6 foot 3 but Windass says 6 foot 5. Either way i'm not going to quibble over a couple of inches. He's a tall un and we have been needing that both back and front.

 

Accrington Stanley are still defying all odds this season, and are well and truly in the promotion picture heading into December. Their most recent scalp came at Cambridge on Saturday, with Stanley twice coming back from a goal down to eventually run out 3-2 winners. Although Stanley’s forward Josh Windass often gets most of the plaudits, it has been the talismanic Matt Crooks who has been dominating most games from centre midfield for the Reds.

 

The former Huddersfield Town Academy graduate has seemingly put the disappointment of having his contract terminated by the Terriers behind him and is really flourishing under John Coleman at Accrington. The 21 year-old is currently 14 games into his first full season with Stanley – and he is really beginning to make a name for himself. The 6 ft 3 central midfielder has played in 14 games thus far this season, scoring 5 goals in the process.

 

Despite still only being young, at 6 ft 3, the most obvious strength Crooks possesses is his ability to deal with the physicality of League Two with ease. He uses his strength effectively to retain the ball, win back possession and win aerial duals to help his team form meaningful attacks. Despite his size, Crooks is one of the most technically gifted players in League Two, he is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet and he has a tremendous passing ability. Also, considering he has already scored 5 goals this campaign, he is also a midfielder with an eye for goal. Stanley fans will be hoping he continues chipping in with goals to help the team remain in and around the Playoffs.

 

Although Crooks is comfortable in possession, he can sometimes be guilty of trying to overcomplicate things. He will try the difficult, delicate dink over defenders rather than to play an easier pass sideways to retain the ball. However, he is only 21 and as he grows older and gains more experience his decision making will improve. In addition to this, Crooks has already picked up 5 cautions this season, although this is potentially due to his passion and exuberance, he needs to learn how to convert these emotions in the right manner on the field – the last thing Stanley need is him getting banned.

 

Here at LowerLeagueScout, we have previously done a scout report on Josh Windass. It is a similar story regarding Matt Crooks and whether or not he will remain a Stanley player come the end of January. However, with Accrington recently being taken over by a new owner, Andy Holt, their financial situation is beginning to look more promising. Maybe this will entitle them to keep hold of their top players and make a real fight for promotion. Having a player of Crooks quality is never a bad weapon to have at your disposal.

 

http://www.footballleaguescout.com/matt-crooks-scout-report/

[ian1964 10,596]

Crooks is one I am very interested in seeing!,big lad who can play football