Rangers could be without midfielder Ianis Hagi ahead of the Champions League qualifiers – and not because of continuing £11m interest from some of Europe’s top leagues.
The Ibrox attacking midfielder is reportedly a man in demand with the likes of La Liga Sevilla and Serie A Lazio reportedly interested in signing the player.
But whilst Rangers fans might’ve hoped to retain the midfielder’s services as they look to make the Champions League group stages, international duty may well come calling.
The talented 22-year-old is expected to be included in Romania’s squad the upcoming Tokyo Olympics this summer.
Olympic squads are made up of U23s with each side allowed to select three older players as they hunt for Olympic gold.
Hagi – one of the nation’s most marketable and exciting young talents – has previously tweeted out “see you in Tokyo” ahead of the Romanian campaign.
However, clubs are not required to release their players for the tournament as it is not a senior competition so the ball will be in Rangers’ court.
But can you honestly see the Ibrox side denying the talented playmaker the opportunity to go an impose himself on the tournament?
As it stands the Olympic Games are set to take place between 23rd July and 8th August with Rangers beginning qualification at the third qualifying round stage.
The two legs are set to take place on August 3/4 and a week later on August 10 with the playoffs taking place on the 17/18 and 24/25 August should Rangers make it.
The Ibrox side are already set to be without Glen Kamara and Kemar Roofe for the majority of the qualification campaign due to UEFA bans and Hagi may well be the third to drop out.
Talented midfielder Hagi has been in and out of the Rangers side this season but one telling statistic proves £11m may not be enough for this influential player.