Barcelona legend urges Rangers star to move amid links to La Liga rivals

Add as preferred source on Google

Barcelona legend and Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo has strangely urged Rangers midfielder Ianis Hagi to move from Ibrox in search of first team football.

The legendary former attacking midfielder admitted that he was “surprised” to learn Hagi wasn’t a regular starter at Rangers and has urged Ianis “to prove his value” at another club.

That’s despite the fact the Romanian midfielder – who just turned 22 – has played 20 times for Rangers this season, appearing only five times from the bench.

In those games Hagi has also laid on eight assists and scored two goals – which isn’t an awful return.

“I don’t see Scottish Premiership matches regularly but it is a surprise for me to know Ianis Hagi is not playing as a regular starter,” said Rivaldo.

“He is very talented, and I’ve really been impressed by his football when I have watched him play.

“He also has a great personality on the pitch and clearly needs to play more often.

“He is at an age where he needs to be playing, so, perhaps with the help of his father, working as his agent, he might try to find an alternative at another club to keep playing regularly in order to continue his development as a player and to ensure he doesn’t lose too much confidence by continuing as a substitute at Rangers.

“He could also become an important player in the national Romanian team soon, so I would advise him to find out if there are more chances coming at Rangers soon, or if he should search for another club where he could prove his value.”

Rivaldo’s comments also come amid reported interest in Hagi from La Liga club Sevilla and Serie A sides Sampdoria and Caligiari in Italy [Clubdoria].

MLS sides New York City FC and Toronto FC have also reportedly been linked with a move for the player.

Signed in the summer for a reported £3m after a succesful loan spell, Hagi is very highly thought of at Ibrox and remains a big part of Rangers’ future.

Rivaldo might also have to check in with Ianis’ father himself regarding his suggestion – legendary midfielder Gheorghe has previously described Rangers as the “ideal club” for his son.