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A year since Rangers showed interest, Ali Crawford admits desire to leave Ibrox side’s league rivals

General view of Ibrox Stadium ahead of the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Hibernian at Ibrox Stadium on August 12, 2017 i...
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Rangers were keen on the playmaker while Mark Warburton was in charge at Ibrox – and new boss Graeme Murty could be given a chance to sign him.

Ali Crawford of Hamilton Academicals during the pre-season friendly at New Douglas Park on July 15, 2014 in Hamilton, Scotland.

HITC Sport understands that Rangers showed interest in Ali Crawford during the final weeks of Mark Warburton’s Ibrox reign.

And, more than a year later, Graeme Murty’s Rangers could be presented a better chance to sign him than ever before.

Rangers manager Graeme Murty is seen during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Aberdeen at Ibrox Stadium on January 24, 2018 in Glasgow, Scotland.

In quotes published by the Scottish Sun on Wednesday, Crawford revealed his intention to leave Hamilton at the end of his contract this summer.

He said: “I saw the bit in the paper saying the contract talks had stalled, but for me, there have been no talks at all. I am keeping my options open, so if they want to offer me a contract, fair enough.

“I think I have paid my dues here because I have been here for 11 years now. It’s maybe time for a change in the summer. I think myself and the club both know I’d like to move on and start somewhere else.

“That might be why they haven’t offered me a contract because they know I would like to try somewhere different. Hopefully I can move to a higher level.

The attacking midfielder may have spent large chunks of this season on the sidelines, but his 57 goals or assists in 137 Premiership outings suggest he would be a catch for someone – especially with no transfer fee involved.

Niko Kranjcar of Rangers during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and St Johnstone at Ibrox Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland.

And that someone could yet be Rangers, who terminated Niko Kranjcar’s contract three months early and have yet to conclude a permanent deal for January loan signing Jamie Murphy.

Crawford’s old Hamilton teammate Greg Docherty swapped New Douglas Park for Ibrox three months ago.

Would Crawford be a good signing for Rangers?