Is now the time for Glasgow Rangers Mark Warburton to bring Conor Hourihane to Ibrox?
The Scottish Sun reported on Wednesday that a cruciate ligament injury would prematurely end Niko Kranjcar’s first season at Rangers.
The 32-year-old will reportedly miss up to six months in what is a major blow for Rangers.
Prior to his injury, the Croatian playmaker had began to look like a serious player for the Gers, and scored his first Premiership goal in the 2-0 win over Partick Thistle last month.
With Celtic nine points clear at the top of the Premiership, manager Mark Warburton would have had to spend a bit of money in January anyway, but Kranjcar’s absence underlines the importance of recruiting another creative spark this winter.
And that replacement might be a man who Warburton already knows a little about: Conor Hourihane.
It was reported by The Scottish Sun in the summer that the Gers manager wanted Hourihane at Ibrox, but Barnsley’s asking price reportedly put them off the idea.
Come January, however, the 25-year-old will only have a number of months to go on his contract which weakens the Championship club’s position somewhat.
The Mail reported back in April that a six-figure sum was needed to prise him from Oakwell and, despite Barnsley’s position being weakened, Rangers should offer what they did in the summer to strengthen their chances of getting him. They won’t be alone.
The Irish midfielder has set up five big chances in the Championship this season. Only five players have set up more, with David Cotterill, on eight, leading the way. He also has four assists when the most by any player in the division is five.
With three goals also under his belt, Hourihane is unlikely to be shy of suitors in the coming months, but Rangers’ previous interest might stand Warburton in good stead.
The Ibrox club will definitely need a replacement for Kranjcar, and the Irishman may well fit the bill.
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