Kranjcar the best I've coached, says Graeme Murty

The Croatian midfielder left the club following a mutual termination of his contract

Published 27th Mar 2018

Graeme Murty has hailed midfielder Niko Kranjcar as the most talented player he has coached - just days after letting him leave the club.

The Rangers boss felt an Ibrox exit for the Croatian was best for both parties at this stage of his career.

The former Portsmouth, Tottenham and QPR player has streuggled for fitness this campaign after suffering cruciate ligament damage 15 games into his Rangers career last season.

And with Rangers' squad increasing in size during the transfer window, Kranjcar's last game for the club came on January 31 during a Scottish Cup win at Fraserburgh, before his contract was terminated by mutual agreement last week.

Murty told RangersTV: "Niko has been a top professional and has worked extremely hard. He obviously hasn't had the best of time with injuries, but we have made the decision, mutually, to go our separate ways and we wish Niko all the best.

"Personally, for me, he has been really good to work with and is a good guy to have around.

"Technically, he is possibly the best player I have seen up close as a coach, but we just thought it was appropriate, and respectful to him, to allow him to seek out that next challenge.'