Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has given his backing to Ibrox kid Ianis Hagi as the Romanian midfielder gets off the mark for the season.
The Ibrox gaffer was speaking after Hagi opened the scoring in the 2-0 win over Hamilton amid some grumbles from the Ibrox support about the player’s early-season form.
But Gerrard is in absolutely no doubts that the talented son of Romanian footballing legend Gheorghe will come good in the royal blue of Rangers.
Even if he admits the player has been a “little hit and miss” so far this season.
“We know the talent of Ianis,” said Gerrard [Evening Express]. “We signed him in the summer because we believe in him.
“He has been a little bit hit and miss so far but that was a strong performance from him on Saturday.
“Ianis got his goal and that will help him.
“Now he goes away and plays for Romania and we hope he comes back healthy.
“The players are giving me selection headaches and that is what I want.”
Ianis Hagi, 21, showed enough during a brief loan stint in Glasgow before the coronavirus shutdown to convince Rangers to sign a £3m structured deal with Belgian side Genk for his services.
Still very young there are high hopes for the youngster who continues to show flashes of his quality without setting the heather alight.
But Steven Gerrard isn’t the only who believes in Ianis enough to recreate that wonderful performance against Braga in the Europa League on a regular basis.
Rangers star Hagi was also given emphatic backing by the president of former club Viitorul Constanta, Gica Popescu.
“Ianis’ bad luck was that he was so extraordinary when he first joined Rangers on loan,” said Popescu [Daily Record].
“He raised the bar so high and everyone expects him to stay at that level.
“Steven Gerrard has given him confidence though and he will make him a better player.
“He knows that he will have to work hard and train well to get into the Rangers team. He knows all about the expectations there and he won’t cheat anyone.
“He will handle everything thrown at him.”
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