NIKO KRANJCAR insists it is a privilege to play for Rangers, but has revealed he won't be back this season. However, he's targeted a return to the Croatian team as he continues his rehabilitation.
The former Tottenham playmaker suffered a knee cruciate injury in October after he was beginning to make his mark at Ibrox.
Rangers caretaker boss Graeme Murty revealed last week that Kranjcar was back in light training, but wouldn't put a timescale on the midfielder's return.
However, Kranjcar himself – in his homeland in his new role as an ambassador for the European Under-17s Championships this summer – admitted he's written off this campaign. But he's determined to make a major impact next term.
"I was honoured to be given a chance to play for such a big club as Rangers," Kranjcar said. "It took me a while to adjust, but I was very satisfied with my performances, especially just before I suffered my injury.
"My next goal is to get back to the level where I was before the injury. I am aware that it will be very difficult. It will mean a lot of sacrifice and a lot of work in the gym.
"My recovery has gone very well, everyone is happy with it. The doctors, the physios at the club and everything has gone to plan. I believe I will be ready for next season.
"It is a privilege to play for a club like Glasgow Rangers. I think we're well on the way to restoring the former glories of the club. Every football fan in the world knows about how big Rangers are. So it is a great pleasure to play for the club.
"We get 50,000 fans for every home game. I am enjoying it in Glasgow. I hope to make an impact next season.
"Of course my target is to one day play for Croatia again. But my priority is just to get fit again and get back to playing the kind of football I was playing before my injury."
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