Niko Kranjcar: Tottenham are ‘amazing’ but ‘I want to play football’

Niko Kranjcar (Getty Images)

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Niko Kranjcar has admitted that he is struggling to come to terms with the lack of first team football at Tottenham and may look for a move elsewhere at the end of the season, insisting that ‘it’s the most frustrating situation I have had’.

The Croatian International has rarely featured for Harry Redknapp’s side this season, having only started twice – making seven substitute appearances – this season, and despite scoring two winning goals for his club he has spent much of the season watching from the sidelines.

Speaking to reporters after Croatia’s goalless draw with France, the midfielder conceded that he may have to “try and find a football club where I can play regularly, like any footballer would,” and also did not rule out the possibility of moving abroad.

“But that it depends who wants me, if anyone wants me.”

And now Harry Redknapp may be losing one of his brightest talents as the midfielder conceded that he was not getting any younger, turning 27 this year, he feels he is at the epitome of his playing career and wants to make the most of it.

“I obviously miss football, and I’m not in my best shape because I don’t play week in, week out,” he added.

 “So obviously those 90 minutes against France help towards getting fitter and hopefully get some more chances.”

“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.”

However the player, who was at Portsmouth when they won with the FA Cup with Harry Redknapp, respects his manager’s decision and believes he will just have to bide his time and wait for an opportunity.

“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 continued.

“He’s the one who takes the blame for good and bad results, and obviously it’s going great this season again.”

For Kranjcar it is perhaps even more disheartening for the Croat as when he has been playing he has taken his chance. He scored fantastic winning goals against Bolton and Sunderland but his great form has not been exclusive to Spurs having scored five goals for his country as well

“It’s the most frustrating situation I have had,” Kranjcar 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.”

But the emergence of Gareth Bale in his position of the park has certainly not helped the talented Croatian’s chance to stake a claim in the side.

“Back at Spurs the team is amazing. The amount of talent we’ve got is ridiculous,” Kranjcar added.

“You understand when you’re not picked in front of Gareth Bale; he’s gone and had an unbelievable season.”

But Kranjcar has not completely given up hope yet and believes there is still an opportunity to shine in the run- in both domestically and Europe when Real Madrid come calling.

“I still feel a part of the team, and I did have a big part in the season, and I hope I will have another part to play in it,” Kranjcar said.

“It would be a dream come true, but, obviously I don’t see that happening. If it does I’ll be ready for them.”