Kranjcar happy at Pompey

Croatian looking forward to Europe

By Graeme Bailey   Last updated: 4th June 2008

niko kranjcar portsmouth

Kranjcar: Set for Euros

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Portsmouth star Niko Kranjcar insists he is already looking forward to next season.

The Croatian midfield gem has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal after a great campaign in the Premier League.

But Kranjcar, who will be an integral part of his country's Euro 2008 campaign, says he is delighted with how things have gone for him in his second season in England and he wants to remain at Fratton Park.

"I am already looking forward to playing in the Uefa Cup," he said.

"Portsmouth is a great place to be at the moment and we have got a great challenge next season - playing in Europe.

"From a personal point of view, it's probably the peak of my career so far."

Euro hopes

Looking ahead to the Euro 2008 finals, Kranjcar admits winning with his country would top Pompey's FA Cup final success.

"If I would have to choose then I would have to say a European Championship winners' medal would be the priority," he said.

"It has been a great year winning my first trophy abroad and qualifying for Euro 2008 with Croatia, and beating England on the way."

Kranjcar and his Croatian team-mates open their campaign against co-hosts Austria on Sunday and he says victory is essential.

"I always say the most important thing is to win the first game," he continued.

"I think we've proven over the last two or three years that we really have a team that can beat anyone.

"If we prepare well, we're a team who can give anyone a good game. Hopefully with a bit of luck, we can go pretty far."