Rangers loanee Ianis Hagi follows in his father Gheorghe’s footsteps by turning out at the Nou Camp, only it was against Barcelona for Deportivo Alaves.
You have to go back 27 years for when legendary former Romanian international Gheorghe Hagi last played for Barcelona, with the playmaker spending two years at the club between 1994 and 1996.
Crossing the El Classico divide in the process, Gheorghe Hagi had spent two years at Real Madrid before the move to the Nou Camp with a stint at Italian side Brescia in between.
Almost three decades later, Gheorghe’s son Ianis Hagi was back at the Nou Camp only this time the Rangers playmaker was turning out for Deportivo Alaves.
Ianis Hagi was a late second half substitute for Alaves, who turned to the resurgent Romanian international after falling behind in the match despite initially going in front.
An extremely early 1st minute goal by Samu Omorodion was eventually rubbed out by a second half Robert Lewandowski double and Ianis Hagi was called upon in the immediate aftermath of the Barcelona striker’s second.
Coming off the bench with 12 minutes of regulation time to play, it’s a moment that neither Ianis Hagi or father Gheorghe will likely forget at the attacking midfielder returned to his dad’s old club.
But the midfield playmaker couldn’t haul his loan side back into the match with Alaves now 15th in the La Liga table and teetering on the verge of a relegation battle after the 2-1 defeat.
Ianis Hagi goes from Rangers bench to playing against Barcelona
Rangers fans continue to scratch their heads as to why Ianis Hagi was ever allowed to leave the club this summer after an extensive period out with injury.
Rocked by a cruciate ligament injury in January 2022, Michael Beale could not give the player assurances over playing time and after Ianis Hagi went public a loan exit was sealed within days.
In the midst of an injury crisis earlier in the season the decision certainly looked a strange one and Rangers don’t really benefit at all on the deal to send Ianis Hagi out on loan.
Contracted to the club until 2026, Ianis Hagi has gone from warming the Rangers bench to turning out against Barcelona in the Nou Camp and it’s little wonder there are sounds amongst fans regarding a recall.
With Philippe Clement now in charge, Rangers fans will be keeping an eye on the situation heading into January but for the time being it’s Alaves and not Ibrox for Ianis Hagi.
Despite the Spanish side’s indifferent league form, some revealing statistics show that Ianis Hagi is impressing in La Liga and perhaps there will be more than just Alaves sniffing around before long.
