Rangers old boy Prso tips Jelavic for Ibrox success

The former Rangers favourite Dado Prso has backed his fellow Croatian Nikica Jelavic to hit the ground running following the false start to his Ibrox career. Jelavic is pushing for a return to first-team action after recovering from surgery to the ankle he damaged during a match against Heart of Midlothian on 2 October, his sixth game for the club.

The 25-year-old had scored four goals in his previous five games following his £4m transfer from Rapid Vienna in August. Jelavic's return is a timely boost for the Rangers manager, Walter Smith, with his top goalscorer Kenny Miller set to decide on his future amid talks with Birmingham and Fiorentina.

The Croatia international could play against Hamilton at Ibrox in the Premier League on Saturday and Prso has tipped him to quickly find favour with supporters.

"I had been very impressed with Nikica before he came to Rangers," Prso said. "He did well in Europe last season with Rapid Vienna and scored three goals against Celtic. I think he is going to be a very, very good player for my old club. He is quick, strong and isn't afraid of anything. He has good technique and can score goals with his head and his feet.

"Perhaps the biggest thing is that he has the right mentality to do well with the club and I really think Nikica can do well at Ibrox."

Prso earned cult status with the Rangers support for his whole-hearted displays and he sees many of his own attributes in Jelavic.