Niko Kranjcar’s father has claimed the Rangers ace could retire at the end of his Ibrox spell.
Niko Kranjcar’s father has told the Daily Record that the Rangers playmaker could retire at the end of his Ibrox contract, which expires in the summer. But one man’s loss could be another Rangers teammate’s gain.
The 33-year-old left-footer has made only one appearance in 2018 against Fraserburgh in the Scottish Cup, as he struggles to overcome a long-term knee injury that has seen his stay in Glasgow falter.
His father remarked that the former Tottenham and Portsmouth star has fluid in his knee which continues to hamper the Croatian. With only a matter of months remaining on his current deal, Kranjcar senior claimed retirement could be on the cards.
“After his major injury, he still gets a lot of pain in his knee. He still suffers from water in the knee,” Kranjcar senior said.
“But he is still under contract with Rangers. You would have to ask him whether he will continue when his contract expires in the summer.”
Even if Kranjcar continues his professional career, the likelihood that is at Rangers is slim with his contract set to expire in the summer. If he does indeed leave, Harry Forrester will jump up the pecking order.
The 27-year-old is currently on loan with English League One side AFC Wimbledon, where he has had a decent season in helping his temporary side remain in the third tier of English football.
Forrester’s long-term future is also in doubt, with Graeme Murty opting to keep him on loan rather than cancelling his loan deal and bringing him back to Ibrox in January. But with three goals and six assists this season, Forrester is certainly an asset.
Surely, then, Murty should hand Forrester a second chance to shine with the Light Blues if Kranjcar does indeed leave, as the former Doncaster Rovers ace was harshly ostracised by Pedro Caixinha in the first place?
His close footwork and vision in the final third are traits that Rangers need, with Carlos Pena on loan at Cruz Azul. A second chance for Forrester is a must, at least to see just what he is capable of under Murty.
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