Ianis Hagi should ‘stay in Spain’ and secure a permanent move away from Rangers after his loan deal with Deportivo Alaves comes to an end, according to legendary Romanian manager Mircea Lucescu.
Securing their status as one of 20 teams confirmed to be taking part in next summer’s European Championships, the Romania national team are certainly benefitting from the presence of a fit and firing Ianis Hagi.
On loan at Alaves after an injury-hit spell at Rangers, Hagi was named his country’s Player of the Month in October and claimed an even greater prize in November. It was his well-struck effort against Israel which guaranteed that Romania will be bringing their iconic yellow shirts to Germany in 2024.
Rangers face Ianis Hagi decision
With the playmaker’s future at club level up in the air, Romania’s most iconic footballing export alongside Ianis’ legendary father is backing Hagi Jr to turn his temporary departure from Ibrox into a permanent one.
“What can I say?,” the former Galatasaray, Shakhtar Donetsk and Zenit St Petersburg boss tells Digi Sport. “He’s been through the Scottish league and he knows very well what it means. He’s very tough. Aggressive.
“My opinion would be that he should stay in Spain and fight to play there, because it’s a different kind of football. A technical one. Completely different from the Scottish game.”
Romania hero but uncertain at Rangers
A game which, in truth, probably suits Hagi a little better too.
The £3 million signing from Genk is an excellent technician but perhaps lacks the bite or the brawn to truly thrive in Scotland. Philippe Clement may be keen to take a closer look at a player farmed out by predecessor Mick Beale but, with Todd Cantwell, Tom Lawrence, Sam Lammers and Kemar Roofe all options for the number ten role – plus Alex Lowry – Rangers would still be very well stocked even if they opted to cash in on Hagi.
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