Rangers midfielder Ianis Hagi has described a lack of fans in the club’s Europa League QR3 match with Willem II in Holland as a “disadvantage for both teams”.
The young Romanian talent was speaking as the Gers hope to leave the Netherlands with a place in the Playoff round where they could face Galatasaray, an ex-team of dad Gheorghe’s.
But when asked if the fact Rangers won’t have to play in front of a boisterous Willem II support in the Koning Willem II Stadion gave Rangers an advantage, the 21-year-old didn’t view it that way.
“I don’t know,” said Hagi [Rangers].
“I just feel that playing without fans is a disadvantage for both teams, whether you play home or away.
“It’s boring without fans and hopefully things get better soon and fans will be back.
“Football is beautiful and you play for your fans and the team you play for.
“We’re here to win the game and go into the next round. This is our mindset. That’s it.
“It’s different from past years with it being just one game.
“There is no home and away games so I’d say it’s 50-50 and it will depend on who is more concentrated and wants to win the game more so we have to focus on getting into the next round.
“European matches are really big and I had the opportunity to see how big they are at Ibrox and obviously I want to feel the same, if not even better, again this season.”
Rangers midfielder Hagi was in inspired form in last season’s Europa League competition, firing a double to haul Rangers back from 2-0 down against Braga in the round of 32.
The Romanian playmaker will form a vital part of the Ibrox side’s European ambitions this season and could be a key player in the match with Dutch underdogs Willem II.
