To say Rangers’ Ianis Hagi was left a little miffed after Romania lost 1-0 at home to Bosnia in Friday night’s World Cup qualifier would be a bit of an understatement.
On a night where Hamza Igamane made his debut for Morocco and Nedim Bajrami sampled the historic Wembley stadium as Thomas Tuchel took charge of England for the first time, Ianis Hagi would endure a much more frustrating evening on international duty.
Hagi was one of 12 Rangers players called up to represent their country this month. A number which increased by one this week when Mohamed Diomande was parachuted into the Ivory Coast squad following an injury to Auxerre’s Hamed Junior Traore.
Hagi would come on at half-time with Romania 1-0 down to their Eastern European opponents in Bucharest. Armin Gigovic put the visitors ahead early on, converting from a Sead Kolasinac assist.
That was the only shot on target Bosnia would produce throughout the 90-plus minutes. A source of frustration then, for a Rangers forward who’s half-time introduction failed to muster a response on the scoreboard.
Rangers’ Ianis Hagi frustrated as Romania lose to Bosnia
But that was not the only reason why Hagi was left bemoaning what he felt was an unfair result.
“They had one chance and scored. We had seven and failed to score,” Hagi sighs. “That sums up the game. Any team that plays away and has a lead will do everything they can to keep it, even at the limit of regulation.
“In the second half, we were more aggressive, we won more duels, but we were not allowed to take advantage of this. Where is that 50-50?”
Referee Danny Makkelie, it’s fair to say, will not be expecting any Christmas cards from the Hagi household this year.
Rangers’ former Genk and Fiorentina man felt Bosnia were given the sort of leeway Romania were denied in head-to-head duels, while also being denied a penalty for a handball – albeit an accidental one – just after the interval.
“It doesn’t seem fair to me,” Hagi adds. “Overall, we had more chances. I didn’t see the penalty kick, but those who were in that area said it was. It was checked by VAR, but I don’t know exactly what happened, I have to watch the kick again.”
Future uncertain amid Fenerbahce links with Ibrox ace
As for the club game, Ianis Hagi’s contract expires this summer.
There have been links with Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce – the team Rangers beat to reach the Europa League quarter-finals – but Gheorge Popescu would be surprised to see Hagi leave Glasgow.
“I don’t know if it’s true or not [interest from Fenerbahce]. What I can say is that I know from Ianis that he is happy at Rangers, he has started playing and is appreciated,” says Popescu, a friend of Ianis’ legendary father Gheorghe.
“I don’t know about his intention to leave there, whether it’s Fenerbahce, Galatasaray or any other club.
“I don’t know that Ianis would want to leave Glasgow. It would be something that would be hard to imagine. I repeat, I do not know of Fenerbahce’s interest in Ianis Hagi.”
