MARK WARBURTON has backed loan Ranger Jon Toral to fill the creative void left by Niko Kranjcar in the Ibrox midfield.

The Spaniard became the second signing of the transfer window for Warburton on Thursday as he followed Emerson Hyndman in putting pen-to-paper until the end of the season.

Warburton had been on the look-out for midfield reinforcements after losing Joey Barton, Jordan Rossiter and Kranjcar from his central options in recent months.

Toral has previously worked with Warburton at Brentford and his move to Ibrox was given the seal of approval by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger as he cut short a switch to Granada to join the Light Blues.

Both Toral and Hyndman are set to make their Gers debuts against RB Leipzig tomorrow afternoon and will have a key part to play in the race for second spot in the Premiership this term.

Warburton said: “We wanted to get the two midfielders in and we’re delighted we’ve been able to do that.

“They will add real quality as we saw in training this morning.

“They are good characters. Jon is someone I know well, he’s a top guy.

“He’s very mature and his a great outlook on life. He’s a very talented boy and we’re delighted to have him.

“We had him at Brentford and so we know what he can deliver. We needed someone to replace Niko and provide that creative spark, Jon will do that because he takes great care of the football.

“Emerson is another one we have watched and we’re very thankful to Eddie Howe and his Bournemouth staff.

“Similarly, we are grateful to Arsenal because there were a few Championship clubs looking at Jon.

“It’s important we have relationships with these clubs, we have to show them Rangers is a great club to come to.

“We have to help turn these players into assets. They are physical too and they’ll both play a part in Germany.”