NIKO KRANJCAR has returned to light training with Rangers after his long lay-off with a serious knee injury, and interim manager Graeme Murty says he is already providing an invaluable contribution to the squad.

The vastly experienced midfielder has already been chipping into team meetings since returning to the training ground, and has been particularly vocal in the aftermath of Sunday’s defeat in Dundee.

That has been a huge help to the inexperienced Murty as he tries to lift the Rangers players for what will no doubt be a battle against relegation-threatened Inverness tomorrow night.

“He’s been in and around and he’s been doing some running and some ball work with the physio,” Murty said.

“He’s been excellent I have to say in the discussion. He’s been great, he’s got some really, really good views and some strong views.

“He’s been excellent for me to actually listen to imparting stuff to his peers, it’s almost more impactful when it comes from someone of Niko’s stature than anyone standing on the outside.

“It’s been really good actually looking from the outside in a little bit.”

The presence of a Kranjcar in the midfield would no doubt prove even more invaluable to Murty and his team than any advice that the Croatian can impart.

He refused to be drawn into speculating as to when the 32-year-old may be able to return to first-team action though, only expressing his wish that it will be sooner rather than later.

“Don’t ask me [when he’ll be back], because I’ll get it wrong and I’ll make myself look even more daft than I did the other day!”