Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha has hailed Niko Kranjcar for his performance in his side’s 1-0 Europa League qualifying win over Progres Niedercorn last week.
The 32-year-old central midfielder played 69 minutes of the tie before being substituted, and he provided the assist for Kenny Miller’s goal, which handed the Gers victory at Ibrox.
The Croatian put in a fine performance before he was taken off, and the Rangers fans were keen to show their appreciation for his efforts with a standing ovation.
In an interview with the Portuguese media outlet Observador, Caixinha heaped praise on Kranjcar’s mentality.
“Since I came here I don’t remember a player being applauded so aggressively,” he said.
“He had such a long absence after such a difficult injury so to be back at this level demonstrates his mentality and his quality and his desire to help the team.
“He needs a little bit more time but the quality is always present. If he gives me that for one hour in every match I will be happy.”
Kranjcar struggled to make much of an impact in with the Gers last season as his campaign was cut short by injury.
The 32-year-old only made 15 appearances across all competitions for the club, but he did score three goals and provide three assists.
He arrived in Glasgow last summer on a free from MLS club New York Cosmos, but over the course of his lengthy career he has spent time at Dynamo Kyiv, QPR, Portsmouth, Tottenham, Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split.
Kranjcar has been capped by Croatia on 81 occasions, although he has not featured for his nation since the 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Scotland in October 2013.