Rangers playmaker Niko Kranjcar has been hailed by former Ibrox hitman Steven Thompson.
Former Rangers striker Steven Thompson
Pundit Steven Thompson has told BBC Sport’s Sportscene that he though Niko Kranjcar’s goal for Rangers against Partick Thistle was ‘absolutely outstanding’.
Rangers went into Saturday’s game at Ibrox desperately needing three points, having suffered frustrating defeats away at Celtic and Aberdeen in September.
Ranger’s Niko Kranjcar in action with Burnley’s Scott Arfield
Manager Mark Warburton has been under intense pressure of late, but will be delighted to have picked up a 2-0 win over Partick Thistle over the weekend.
Playmaker Niko Kranjcar smashed Rangers in front with a superb solo goal, before Andy Halliday swept home from a counter-attacker to seal a 2-0 victory.
The win was just what Warburton and Rangers needed, and the game saw playmaker Kranjcar turn in one of his best performances of the season so far.
General view outside the stadium before the match
Croatian midfielder Kranjcar, 32, has endured a tough start to the campaign, with many criticising his fitness levels since his summer switch from New York Cosmos.
After the game, former Rangers striker and current pundit Steven Thompson spoke to BBC Sport’s Sportscene about Kranjcar’s display, praising him for an ‘absolutely outstanding’ goal to open the scoring.
Burnley’s Andre Gray in action with Rangers’ Niko Kranjcar
Thompson suggested that Rangers have been waiting for a moment of brilliance from Kranjcar, and predicts that the former Tottenham ace will dominate games against the poorer sides in the Scottish Premiership, such as Partick Thistle.
“It was absolutely outstanding,” said Thompson. “I was glad to see him have an impact for Rangers, and this is a piece of brilliance – what you’d expect from Niko Kranjcar, and what I think the fans have been wanting from him this whole time at the start of the season.”
“It’s an individual piece of brilliance, and it’s against Partick Thistle. I think that he’ll shine the brightest in games at Ibrox against bottom six teams,” he added.
What did you think of Kranjcar’s performance against Partick Thistle?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
