Ianis Hagi cut a frustrated figure in the post-match press conference following Rangers stuttering win over Morton at Ibrox yesterday.
The 24-year old playmaker has rarely seen game time this season and the fact that the players in front of him haven’t been impressing hasn’t helped either.
Fitness is no longer an excuse because Ianis Hagi has been back training for some time and Rangers were noticeably better when he came off the bench, no wonder he didn’t look happy on Rangers TV.
Michael Beale could play the Romanian international either in midfield or the front three.
The reported £4m signing would have expected to be starting against Morton given his lack of minutes and yet John Lundstram, Keiran Dowell and Sam Lammers were all picked ahead of him.
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One thing that Hagi offers is the right mentality.
Speaking after the win over Morton, he said:
“It’s a win and that’s the most important thing right now. I’m disappointed in the situation that I am in.
“I respect the manager’s decision.
“Doesn’t mean I agree with him but I respect it. I just want to play football.”
Ianis Hagi has earned Rangers shirt ahead of misfiring teammates
Hagi is positive in possession and plays with his head up looking forwards, he also knows what to expect from Scottish football.
Ianis Hagi offered Rangers more in 30 minutes than Lammers has in the last two games.
No wonder he looked fuming post-match.
The big Dutchman looked good in pre-season, however, since then, he has almost been anonymous.
Hagi was unlucky not to score against Morton with two outstanding effforts.
Both were the perfect example of the technical ability that he has at his disposal.
What he also offered was intent.
Whether he picked the ball up in wide positions or centrally, he would engage defenders to create space for others before choosing the right option.
This is where Michael Beale has to park his ego.
Insisting on playing new players purely because they are new and because he thinks they could be the answer rather than the ones who have offered more could cost him.
It’s the same with Rabbi Matondo.
Against Livingston he looked like the player we thought we were signing and was our best player against Morton.