The international break could hardly have come at a better time for one member of the Rangers squad.
Removed from first-team contention by Philippe Clement and having even lost his number seven shirt to the returning Oscar Cortes, Ianis Hagi is a footballer in need of an escape from reality.
Fortunately, despite indicating a few weeks ago that his place in the Romania set-up would come under threat as long as he continues to go about his business with Rangers’ reserves, new Triicolor coach Mircea Lucescu is not quite at that point where he is ready to take a leaf out of Clement’s book.
Lucescu, the highly-experienced tactician who took over after Euro 2024, included Hagi in his roster for September’s Nations League clashes with Kosovo and Lithuania.
And while Clement has been typically blunt in his assessment of Hagi’s Rangers situation – he remains out of favour even after the close of the Scottish transfer window – Lucescu was a little more tactful when discussing a footballer who finds himself stuck in limbo at club level.
Rangers misfit Ianis Hagi gets Romania boost
“It’s not just about the continuity in playing, there is also about the value (he can give us),” Lucescu, the former Turkey, Besiktas and Inter Milan boss, tells Sport. “Ianis is wanted by all the teams in Romania.
“He’s going through a tough time. You saw what’s going on there (at Rangers), but I’m sure he’ll get through this. We must help him.”
Hagi, as Lucescu himself explains, has no shortage of interest from clubs back home in Romania. The domestic transfer window will stay open until September 9th.
A return to familiar surroundings feels highly unlikely at this stage, however, with Liga 1 clubs unlikely to stump up the sort of wages Hagi would be looking for.
The sporting director of FCSB – the side formerly known as Steaua Bucharest – has removed their name from the frame, feeling that the former Fiorentina and Genk ace is a footballer who belongs at a far higher level.
And while Rapid Bucharest went public with their own interest – shareholder Dan Sucu admitting that Hagi was ‘really wanted’ at last season’s Liga 1 runners-up – the £3 million misfit remains determined to fight for his place at Rangers.
Even if that feels like a fight he is destined to lose as long as Clement remains in the ring.
Rapid Bucharest accept defeat
“I spoke with him,” Marius Sumudica, who recently replaced Celtic legend Neil Lennon in the Rapid Bucharest dugout, tells Pro Sport when asked why the pursuit of Hagi ended in failure.
“He called me. I have a good relationship with him. He told me that his option was to stay abroad. He wants to fight. He has a great personality, he will surely fight to the last drop of sweat to prove that he deserves to play there (at Rangers).
“There is little to no chance of him coming. I don’t know what will happen next. It is very difficult for him to return to the domestic league.”
