IT was the next stop and not the final destination. A stint in the States paved the way for a fresh start for Niko Kranjcar and now he will return across the Atlantic to take his first steps with Rangers.

A move to the New York Cosmos could have been viewed as a sign that the 31-year-old was winding down his glittering career, but it has ultimately given Kranjcar another challenge as he sets his sights on silverware this season.

It was against Charleston Battery where the Croatian started off his Cosmos career earlier this year and now Kranjcar will return to the MUSC Health Stadium as Mark Warburton’s side step up their preparations for the new campaign.

Read more: Dave King: Ally McCoist would have won the Championship with the new board in place and he is always welcome at Rangers

The Gers jetted out to South Carolina this morning and will spend the coming days being put through their paces before facing the Battery in their first friendly action next week.

“Niko came down and I think it was his first game with the Cosmos,” Charleston coach Mike Anhaeuser told SportTimes.Glasgow Times: 23/06/16  
IBROX - GLASGOW 
Rangers' newest signing Niko Kranjcar is unveiled to the press

“He had a taste of what we are like as a team and the facilities and it is great that we will have him coming back to town.

“We played the Cosmos in our pre-season and we beat them 3-0. He was only here for two days so it will be different for him in pre-season.

Read more: When are Rangers pre-season fixtures?

“It is great for Rangers to have a player of that calibre and I am sure they will get more.

“Rangers are back up there and it doesn’t matter now what is behind them.

“They are looking forward to being back in the Premiership and hopefully they win a trophy and get into the Champions League. I know that is what they are shooting for.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for our players to play Rangers and it is great to see players going from America to a big club like that.

“Niko went to the Cosmos and is now with Rangers and that is great. Everyone knows the Cosmos, they had the best players in the world and they are trying to get back to that level too.”Glasgow Times: New Rangers singing Niko Kranjcar speaks to the media yesterday.

While some clubs use their summer schedule to line-up glamour friendlies and travel around the globe ahead of the big kick-off, Rangers will play just one game before their first competitive outing next month.

A scepticism remains on these shores about the state of soccer in America, and many Gers fans were concerned at Kranjcar’s motivation for returning to Britain from the Big Apple.

There are also doubts about whether the Battery test is sufficient preparation for the Betfred Cup clash with Motherwell, but Anhaeuser insists the Ibrox crowd should have no fears about their American associations.

He said: “It is different here because we don’t have an up and down system. I have three internationals that have been at the World Cup so we do get good players.

“I don’t think teams here get players because they are winding down their career. They are trying to compete and win the league and win trophies.

“I think the guys, even players of that calibre, are always pleasantly surprised when they come over. I don’t think they think it is easy, but some people who don’t know the game here do.Glasgow Times: Mark Warburton

“We might not be in the MLS, but we don’t have an up and down. We have won our league four times, so we would have been at a higher level if there was promotion but we don’t have that ability because the system is different.

“We have always had good players and international players that come in. The ones that do come over and think it will be a holiday at the end of their careers, they don’t do well or play very much.

“They have got to be ready to play. That is why when teams come over they are not worried that they are not playing an MLS team.

“Charleston are not an MLS team, but we are pretty close and at a high standard. In Scotland, if you do well you get a move up and I wish it was that way here and maybe Charleston would be in the top league.”

After spending the first week of their pre-season preparations at Auchenhowie, the trip to Charleston is the next step for Warburton’s side as the countdown continues to Rangers’ Premiership return.

The League Cup group ties will give the Gers a chance to fully get up to speed ahead of the visit of Hamilton Accies and start of their top flight title challenge.

But Warburton will be keen to see his squad get a good workout under their belts when they face the Battery next Wednesday.

Anhaeuser said: “From my standpoint as the manager here, we treat every game as one we want to compete in and win. We won’t look at this one any different.

“We have a good team, we train in the heat every day and we are in the middle of our season so our guys are right at their top fitness levels.

“We are able to play the game at a high level and tempo, while Rangers are just starting.

“We have always had great matches. I will play all our guys because it is a great game for us but we are going out to win it.

“They are in their pre-season and will manage their players as best they can but we will make it a great game for them and put pressure on them.

“If we don’t do that then it doesn’t really help them. They know we have a solid team, and that helps.”