Niko Kranjcar ruled out for up to six months following scan on knee injury

[ian1964 10,596]

07:18, 2 Nov 2016

Updated 07:31, 2 Nov 2016

By David McCarthy

 

SPECIALIST confirms cruciate ligament injury is worse than first feared as Croat gets set to undergo knee surgery following training ground accident.

 

NIKO KRANJCAR will undergo knee surgery that will keep the Rangers player sidelined for at least the next six months.

 

The 32-year-old midfielder had his worst fears confirmed by a specialist yesterday after injuring his cruciate ligament in a training ground accident two weeks ago.

 

The Croat was told he’ll have to go under the knife in London today and will now almost certainly be ruled out of Mark Warburton ’s side for the rest of the season.

 

Kranjcar arrived at Ibrox from New York Cosmos in the summer and after a slow start to his Light Blues career was beginning to make an impact.

 

His loss will be a massive blow to Warburton whose other marquee signing, Joey Barton , will almost certainly never kick another ball for the club after being suspended following a training ground bust-up. But Kranjcar does have a future at Ibrox and will begin his rehabilitation as soon as possible after the operation.

 

Meanwhile, Rangers kid Billy Gilmour could be lost to the big guns of English football for as little as £100,000.

 

Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United are all eyeing a move for the 15-year-old.

 

Southampton, Everton and Spurs are also keen on Gilmour, although Rangers are confident they can keep him with the promise of a clear development pathway in the next 18 months all the way to first-team level.

 

The midfielder is signed to Rangers until the end of the season at least but English clubs can make their move as soon as he turns 16.

 

Under FIFA guidelines for under-23s, they can approach the player and if he agrees to a move, only a cross border compensation fee need be paid. Celtic lost playmaker Islam Feruz to Chelsea in similar circumstances five years ago.

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-ace-niko-kranjcar-ruled-9177905

[craig 5,199]

07:18, 2 Nov 2016

Updated 07:31, 2 Nov 2016

By David McCarthy

 

SPECIALIST confirms cruciate ligament injury is worse than first feared as Croat gets set to undergo knee surgery following training ground accident.

 

NIKO KRANJCAR will undergo knee surgery that will keep the Rangers player sidelined for at least the next six months.

 

The 32-year-old midfielder had his worst fears confirmed by a specialist yesterday after injuring his cruciate ligament in a training ground accident two weeks ago.

 

The Croat was told he’ll have to go under the knife in London today and will now almost certainly be ruled out of Mark Warburton ’s side for the rest of the season.

 

Kranjcar arrived at Ibrox from New York Cosmos in the summer and after a slow start to his Light Blues career was beginning to make an impact.

 

His loss will be a massive blow to Warburton whose other marquee signing, Joey Barton , will almost certainly never kick another ball for the club after being suspended following a training ground bust-up. But Kranjcar does have a future at Ibrox and will begin his rehabilitation as soon as possible after the operation.

 

Meanwhile, Rangers kid Billy Gilmour could be lost to the big guns of English football for as little as £100,000.

 

Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United are all eyeing a move for the 15-year-old.

 

Southampton, Everton and Spurs are also keen on Gilmour, although Rangers are confident they can keep him with the promise of a clear development pathway in the next 18 months all the way to first-team level.

 

The midfielder is signed to Rangers until the end of the season at least but English clubs can make their move as soon as he turns 16.

 

Under FIFA guidelines for under-23s, they can approach the player and if he agrees to a move, only a cross border compensation fee need be paid. Celtic lost playmaker Islam Feruz to Chelsea in similar circumstances five years ago.

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-ace-niko-kranjcar-ruled-9177905

 

Re Gilmour - if he needs any motivation to stay at Rangers then all he need to is take a look at the career path of Islam Feruz from that article. Hailed as the next great thing Feruz went to Chelsea and people were purring about how great a player he is. He is now 21 and has played the sum total of 11 1st team games, 6 of which were as substitute appearances in a failed Hibs loan move. Billy Gilmour would do well to consider that when considering his next move. But clearly the boy has bags of talent when teams of that caliber are coming knocking.

 

Re Niko - such a shame for the big guy - he was starting to gain his match fitness and make a telling contribution to the team. Even without him though I still believe we have more than enough to finish 2nd in the league - and with a proper pre-season behind him next year (if he has the motivation to come back from the injury) then we could see a rejuvenated Kranjcar

[Bluedell 5,422]

Re Niko - such a shame for the big guy - he was starting to gain his match fitness and make a telling contribution to the team. Even without him though I still believe we have more than enough to finish 2nd in the league - and with a proper pre-season behind him next year (if he has the motivation to come back from the injury) then we could see a rejuvenated Kranjcar

 

I doubt that the team would have played as well or with the same level of intensity on Saturday if Niko was playing.

 

He would be great in a 4-2-3-1 but not sure he suits Warburton's 4-3-3.

[Frankie 8,307]

It is a pity as the lad was starting to look very good.

 

However, might be more positive for the long term betterment of the team.

Edited November 2, 2016 by Frankie

[MacK1950 2,278]

He might not fit into high intensity games but he is a class act and a valuable member of the squad,let's hope he has a speedy recovery and the will to keep his career going.

[craig 5,199]

I doubt that the team would have played as well or with the same level of intensity on Saturday if Niko was playing.

 

He would be great in a 4-2-3-1 but not sure he suits Warburton's 4-3-3.

 

A valid point - and one I meant to make in my original post. Since he has been out we have played better, no coincidence with mostly the players from last season. But that said, Niko does have that ability to unlock stubborn defences. Still a miss for the squad in general and certain games in particular.