As the Romania manager bites back amid an Ianis Hagi international controversy, Rangers are quietly set to be the biggest beneficiaries of the move.
The player’s legendary father Gheorghe Hagi criticised Romania coach Edward Iordănescu for not calling up his son during this round of European Championship qualifiers.
It comes with Ianis Hagi returning to the Rangers fold following a devastating cruciate ligament injury that ruled the player out for an entire year, even missing the Europa League Final.
The player’s father wasn’t the only one criticising the move, with legendary referee Adrian Porumboiu also slamming the Romania absence of Ianis Hagi.
Manager explains Ianis Hagi Romania move
Even if Gheorghe Hagi – Romanian football’s Maradona of the Carpathians – has criticised the Romania boss, it’s hard to argue against Ianis being left out of the nation’s squad.
As the player slowly works his way back from the lengthy injury lay-off, the worst thing that Ianis Hagi can do is risk inflaming the injury as he looks to make a mark with Rangers and Romania.
That’s exactly the thoughts of Romania boss Edward Iordănescu, who claims that Ianis Hagi remains part of his plans but that now is not the time for the 24-year-old to return.
“Romania’s qualification to the Euros goes beyond any name and person,” said Iordanescu.
“That’s why I too will ignore any attacks or pressurising during the qualifying campaign
“I have monitored many players for a long time ahead of this squad. Not only those in the national team, but those I have previously worked with at youth level.
“Of course, I would have liked to have no medical absences, but unfortunately there are footballers who are injured or who are in the recovery period or are not yet at their maximum physical capacity.”
But as the controversy rumbles on in the background of the Romania team, it is Rangers who are the biggest beneficiaries of the Ianis Hagi situation.
The Romanian midfielder now has two weeks at the Ibrox training centre, closely monitored by the club’s medical team, to get back fit and fighting as he looks to regain his fitness and force his way into Michael Beale’s plans.
