Mark Warburton’s Glasgow Rangers signed Niko Kranjcar in the summer transfer window.
Andre Gray in action with Niko Kranjcar
Derek Johnstone has suggested in The Glasgow Evening Times that Rangers attacking midfielder Niko Kranjcar will improve in the coming weeks and months.
Kranjcar joined Rangers in the summer transfer window and was expected to be a key player for the Gers this season.
The 32-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder has played well on occasions, but he has yet to meet the lofty expectations.
Former Rangers star Johnstone, who is now 62 years of age, believes that the Croatian will improve if he gets to play regularly.
The former Scotland international has also advised Kranjcar to dominate matches that he starts.
Niko Kranjcar at Tottenham Hotspur
“The more games he gets and the more often he starts games the more he will improve,” Johnstone wrote about Kranjcar in The Glasgow Evening Times.
“It is difficult when you come on as a substitute and you are expected to influence the game straight away. When he starts, he has got to make sure that he dominates matches and plays his part.”
“You can’t just turn it on and off at Rangers,” added Johnstone. “Teams will see him as a threat because they know he can be such a creative influence for Rangers and he has to handle that when he is being man marked. If he is on song, Rangers will be.”
Niko Kranjcar in action with Scott Arfield
Kranjcar is a very good footballer and is hugely creative, and Rangers fans should have faith in him.
True, the Croatian has not played to the level he should have so far this season, but his quality and calibre is undeniable.
Rangers are fifth in the Scottish Premiership table at the moment with 12 points from eight matches.
Mark Warburton’s side are seven points behind leaders and Old Firm rivals Celtic, who have a game in hand.
Scott Brown (L) and Niko Kranjcar in action
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