Niko Kranjcar targets Rangers return in pre-season

Rangers midfielder Niko Kranjcar is eyeing a return to full fitness in time for pre-season after his "nightmare" knee injury. Picture: Craig Watson/PA Wire

The Croatian ruptured a cruciate ligament in October and has progressed to doing fitness work outside as well as his gym rehab.

He told Rangers TV: “The recovery process has been a nightmare, this is definitely the worst injury I have ever had, the longest I had been out before was probably two months and this is between six and nine months.

“It is a long road and it is quite lonely. It has its ups and downs, the easiest thing to do is always to give up but once you do start doing your rehab I think there is always a voice in your head telling you to get through it. It is hard, it is not easy.

“Obviously there are days when you watch a game of football and you’re not involved so it is hard and you just wish you could play. I have great support at home from my missus and from my whole family and all my friends. I have been in football ages now and that helps.”

Kranjcar, 32, who signed a two-year deal at Ibrox last summer, added: “Touch wood, come May, hopefully I can join in with the lads and do a full session but the goal is to be fit for next season.”