Former Romania coach Anghel Iordanescu believes Rangers’ loaned-out playmaker Ianis Hagi should be left out of next summer’s Euro 2024 squad if he cannot force his way into the Deportivo Alaves starting XI.
The Rangers-owned attacker may have scored the goal which secured Romania’s place in the tournament – firing home a decisive finish against Israel in November – but alone should not guarantee him a place in the Tricolorii roster.
At least, that is the view of Anghel Iordanescu. A man who knows what it takes to succeed in the heart of battle after guiding Romania to the quarter finals of the 1994 World Cup.
Ianis Hagi loaned out by Rangers
“The player must prove his worth. He has to prove that he deserves to be in the national team,” Iordanescu tells Fanatik of Ianis Hagi.
“If you don’t play for your club, stay at home! You can’t play at the Euros in the conditions. (If footballers don’t play regularly) our football suffers from a physical point of view, from a commitment point of view. Our football also suffers from the rhythm of the game, the speed of the game.
“How can you face a European championship if you are not in rhythm, prepared, and you don’t have games in your feet?
“Oh, you can play a match. You play by talent, desire. But playing three games at that level means you’re basically dragging your team down.”
Struggling for starts in Spain
Hagi has started only one of Alaves’ last six La Liga matches. The former Genk starlet, a £3 million signing by Rangers back in 2020, moved to Spain on loan over the summer after an injury-hit final season at Ibrox.
Should he return to Glasgow in the New Year, Hagi would have his work cut out forcing his way back into a team capable of fielding Tom Lawrence, Todd Cantwell, Sam Lammers, Kemar Roofe and Kieran Dowell in the number ten role.
“I hope that Ianis Hagi (and a number of other out-of-favour Romanians) will play and raise their level,” Iordanescu adds. “(They must) convince the coaches of their club teams.”
