THE American dream could prove to be a brief experience for Niko Kranjcar if he cuts short his time Stateside to return across the Atlantic this summer.

But Joe Jordan is confident the playmaker will shine on Scotland’s biggest stage should Rangers clinch a shock deal to bring him to Ibrox.

Boss Mark Warburton is on the hunt for reinforcements ahead of the new Premiership campaign as he looks to add strength and depth to his Light Blues squad.

The capture of Kranjcar would be a significant coup for Warburton and another signal of his intentions for his second season in Scottish football as he also closes in on a move for midfielder Joey Barton.

Kranjcar is available on a free transfer when his contract with the New York Cosmos expires at the end of the month and Jordan believes the 31-year-old will be an instant hit at Ibrox.

He told SportTimes: “Niko is a little bit different to Joey in the respect that I have worked with him throughout his career and know him a bit better. I worked with Niko at Portsmouth, at Spurs and also at QPR.

“Harry Redknapp brought him to those three clubs so I have known him for the best part of ten years, whereas Joey I am talking about him last year at Burnley and at QPR.

“Niko is a terrific player and he has proved that throughout his career. He has played for Croatia at the World Cup, he has played in big games at many clubs and was always excellent with me.

“We had a very good team at Spurs and we took him to QPR. He is a very talented lad, without any shadow of a doubt, and he is a good lad.

“He would have no problem whatsoever if he decided to go and play in Scotland. He isn’t as old as Joey and both of them are at an age where they have still got loads of ability and can still contribute in football.”

With Matt Crooks, Josh Windass and Jordan Rossiter already on board, Warburton is determined to keep up the momentum and do as many deals as possible in the coming weeks.

Rangers will round off their campaign when they face Hibernian in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday and the champions return to pre-season training just a few weeks later ahead of the big kick-off next term.

Kranjcar moved to New York earlier this year after he was released from Dynamo Kyiv and has made a handful of appearances during their spring campaign.

And Scotland legend Jordan is confident the 31-year-old has what it takes to become a key part of Warburton’s plans next term.

He said: “I am looking at the players and I know they can play. If they can keep themselves fit, I think those two players are very good players.

“They are not players in their thirties and shouldn’t be looked upon. They are two that are in their thirties that have got great experience and the ability to continue their careers. They are not too old, they are very good players.

“I think the manager has looked at what he had this year and he knows they are going up a division.

“There are players there that have been successful, but maybe he needs experienced players in that dressing room for the Premiership to go along with the enthusiasm and ability of the players that did the business for him this year.

“I don’t know what other players they will bring in this season but it doesn’t surprise me that they won promotion and now we will have to wait and see what they do to reinforce the team. A lot will depend on that, like it does for every team.

“If Mark is going to America to try and persuade a player like Niko Kranjcar to come back then I think he is fully committed to try to fulfil those ambitions.”