KRANJC-ING IT UP
NIKO KRANJCAR says reshaped Rangers are ready to roar into their new era at Ibrox tomorrow night.
The Croatian star is back for the Europa League clash against Progres Niederkorn having missed the final seven months of last term with a cruciate ligament injury.
It’s a fresh start for forgotten man Kranjcar and also for a new-look squad which has been revamped by boss Pedro Caixinha.
Over 50,000 will be at a packed Ibrox to see the
unveiling of the new signings for the clash against the Luxembourg minnows and feels it could be the start of something special.
Kranjcar said: “It is a new season and a new start, not only for me, but for the club because we cannot allow anything similar to happen as we did last season.
“I feel part of it, even though I wasn’t available for selection I do feel part of a team who underperformed largely.
“I hope I get a chance to prove myself again.
“It’s the manager’s decision as to whether I start. I’ve been working towards that and I feel physically good and that I can compete.”
While several of last season’s troops have been jettisoned by Caixinha the playmaker is firmly in the set-up.
Kranjcar has featured in the trio of warm-up games played at Murray Park and insists he’s back to peak condition.
Speaking to Rangers TV he added: “The knee is great and I haven’t had any problems since I started back. I had already joined in before the summer and done a month of full training.
“You can’t have anything in the back of your mind. Up until now I have had a nice career. I had my ups and downs in it but going into the last stages of my career there are no doubts in my mind.
“If something happens it happens but I am not going to dwell on it. I am not going to think about it and I’ll enjoy my football.”
New striker Alfredo Morelos is also champing at the bit having learned the grass is greener in Glasgow.
The Colombian hitman is desperate for a debut against Niederkorn and he said: “The most difficult thing I’ve found since I came to Scotland has been the pitches.
“In Finland they play and train on artificial pitches but in Scotland it’s on grass.
“Finnish football was great for me and I scored a lot of goals.
“But Scottish football is a higher standard with better players and it is more competitive.
“It’s going to be a real challenge for me.”