Niko Kranjcar to leave Tottenham in the summer

Last updated : 30 March 2011 By Daily Mail

Kranjcar joined Spurs from Portsmouth in 2009 but has found his first-team opportunities limited in the last year by the emergence of Gareth Bale and the recent signing of Steven Pienaar.

The Croatian midfielder has only started two league games for Spurs this season and turned down a move to German side Werder Bremen in the January transfer window.

Unlucky: Niko Kranjcar (left) has found first-team opportunities hard to come by this season after the emergence of Gareth Bale

The 26-year-old can count himself unlucky not to have featured more given that he scored two crucial winners against Bolton and Sunderland.

Speaking after Croatia's 0-0 draw with France on Tuesday, Kranjcar said: '(I will be) trying to find a football club where I can play regularly, like any footballer would.'

When asked where he would like to move to, Kranjcar said: 'Depends who wants me, if anyone wants me.'

Kranjcar, who turns 27 in August, added: 'I'm ambitious, I want to play football.

'Especially in my best years. If I was a young lad, obviously I would wait for my chance, especially being in a big club like Spurs.

'But, obviously, 27, 28, 29 years is, I think, the best footballing years.

'Everyone knows I can play at the highest level, week in week out ... I'll only come on as a sub (at the moment).'

Outcast: Kranjcar has only features in nine Premier League games this season

Despite his frustrations at not being involved much in the first-team squad, Kranjcar still has great respect for Harry Redknapp - the man who bought him to England with Portsmouth in 2006, where the pair won the FA Cup together in 2008.

'It's not mine to (question) the manager's decision, it's mine to respect and to wait for my opportunity and my chance,' Kranjcar said.

'He's the one who takes the blame for good and bad results, and obviously it's going great this season again.' said Kranjcar, who has scored five goals for Croatia this season.

'It's the most frustrating situation I have had,' he added.

'I think it's been the season I probably scored the most goals and felt I played the most mature football in my career, and then again played the least minutes, probably.'

Rather than throwing his toys out of the pram, Kranjcar spoke respectfully of his team-mates and seems resigned to be leaving rather than angry.

Summer transfer: Kranjcar gets to grips with Florent Malouda

'Back at Spurs the team is amazing. The amount of talent we've got is ridiculous,' said Kranjcar.

'You understand when you're not picked in front of Gareth Bale. I mean, he's gone and had an unbelievable season.'

There are only nine league games remaining for Spurs, starting away at Wigan on Saturday. Kranjcar is hoping he can contribute.

'I still feel a part of the team,' he said.

'I did have a big part in the season, and I hope I will have another part to play in it.'

Kranjcar revealed he is desperate to feature in the upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, but he doesn't rate his chances of featuring highly.

'(It) would be a dream come true,' Kranjcar said. 'But, obviously I don't see that happening. If it does I'll be ready for them.'

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?Explore more:People: Gareth Bale, Harry Redknapp, Niko Kranjcar Places: Bolton, United Kingdom, France, Croatia

Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail