Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has lavished praise on Niko Kranjcar following the 5-0 win over Hearts on Thursday night.

Kranjcar started in the centre of midfield alongside Jake Livermore and even though he never got on the scoresheet, the Croatian international was at the heart of a majority of Spurs moves as the SPL side looked unable to deal with the North London side.

And Redknapp praised the midfielder claiming the 27-year-old ‘ran the game’ from the centre of the back as Spurs all but secured their place in the group stages of the Europa League.

“I thought Niko Kranjcar was outstanding in midfield,” Redknapp said.

“He never plays there (central) really. I play him off the left, he plays behind the front, but he played central and he enjoyed it. He got on the ball, joined up with Rafa well in the first half and he was outstanding.

“Niko ran the game, really. He is a great footballer. I brought him here from Portsmouth and he can really play.

“He was linking up with Rafa and there was great movement everywhere. I couldn’t have asked for more. It was excellent.”

Kranjcar has been linked with a move away from White Hart Lane this summer after a season where he started just two league games.