Rangers boss Mark Warburton could be looking for temporary replacements at Ibrox.
Rangers’ Kranjcar could miss the rest of the campaign
According to the Scottish Sun, Rangers star Niko Kranjcar could miss the rest of the season with suspected ligament damage.
If so, that would be a huge blow for the Ibrox side, who’ve seemingly reached the end of their tether with another summer recruit Joey Barton.
At least if Barton were to be shown the door – the midfielder is yet to return to Rangers despite his initial three-week suspension ending a fortnight ago – it would free up funds for Mark Warburton to add to his squad in January.
Barton’s Ibrox career could be over before it’s really begun
Despite having entered the twilight of his career, Kranjcar has proved one of Warburton’s better signings this season – scoring three goals and creating another three in 15 appearances.
His experience and outbursts of real quality would be difficult for any Rangers player to match in his absence, and if the Gers are determined to compete for second place or better this season a replacement must be sought in the short-term.
With Scottish football not the magnet for talent it once was, Warburton’s options are likely to comprise of those currently cast aside by their clubs – and one such player might just be the answer.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Lewis McGugan scored six goals in 17 outings last season, but was transfer listed over the summer having failed to properly take to Carlos Carvalhal’s system – prompting the Owls boss to recruit Almen Abdi and David Jones instead.
Sheffield Wednesday’s McGugan dumps Newcastle out of EFL Cup
While it’s hard to argue with Carvalhal’s methods, many Wednesdayites still regard McGugan’s treatment as harsh, appreciating, perhaps, that he’d be a regular starter for around 50 per cent of English Championship clubs.
Like Kranjcar, McGugan is prone to the spectacular, as evidenced by his goal to knock Newcastle United out of last year’s EFL Cup. And, having previously impressed at Hillsborough and Nottingham Forest, he’s proved he can handle the pressures of playing for British football’s big clubs.
Still only 27, the former England Under-21 international has plenty left to give, and a temporary move to Rangers could suit all three parties.
Rangers’ Ibrox Stadium: McGugan’s next home?
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