Speaking ahead of Rangers’ Boxing Day trip to St Mirren, a relieved Philippe Clement argued that the options at his disposal go some way to offsetting the concerns about a gruelling fixture schedule.
Rangers are penned in to play no fewer than 11 games between December 26th and the end of January.
Among them features an Old Firm derby with Celtic, a clash with Aberdeen at Ibrox, and a visit of Manchester United in the Europa League.
Fortunately for Philippe Clement, the Rangers manager can rely on the sort of squad depth he could not have dreamed off back in August. Because while Danilo and Nedim Bajrami continue to grow in influence, Ianis Hagi is putting a miserable few months behind him.
The Romania international was frozen out by Clement at the start of the campaign. But after resolving a contract dispute, Hagi is back in action and making up for lost time.
Though the playmaker’s shock return to first team selection – he is like ‘a new signing’, to quote Clement – has not stopped the rumour mill from turning.
Serie A outfit Genoa have been linked with Ianis Hagi after their takeover by Romanian businessman Dan Sucu.
Speaking to Fanatik, however, Hagi’s agent has indicated that, perhaps due to those Romanian connections, this may be a classic case of reporters putting two and two together and getting five.
Agent of Rangers ace Ianis Hagi doesn’t think Genoa move will happen
“They were asking me in Italy if Ianis Hagi would come here,” Giovanni Becali says. “I told them; ‘Guys, aren’t you healthy? Hey, let people celebrate their holidays like the world does! Let people celebrate Christmas, let people celebrate New Year.
“‘Let’s move on to January when it’s transfer window month and then let’s talk a little more.’
“[But] big transfers don’t happen in the winter. Several journalists from Italy have been looking [to contact] me with Ianis Hagi.
“In Italy, they invent more than here [in Romania]!”
Becali’s advice is, if the report does not have the name Fabrizio Romano at the top, take it with a pinch of salt.
“If it doesn’t say Fabrizio Romano, it’s harder to believe,” And Fabrizio is 80 – 90 per cent [accurate]. He’s not at 100 per cent.”
Philippe Clement delighted to have Hagi back at Ibrox
Hagi has now started all of Rangers’ last four Scottish Premiership games. He even provided two assists as The Gers hammered Kilmarnock 6-0 at Ibrox recently, though Hagi will not be making his mark in the Europa League any time soon after being left out of the club’s continental roster at the start of the campaign.
Plenty more minutes should be on the way for the £3 million signing from KRC Genk, too.
Clement, speaking at his Wednesday press conference, admits he plans to rotate heavily over the next month or so.
“We will need to manage [the work load], that’s for sure,” Clement says, boosted by the return of Ross McCausland from injury.
“In that way, I am happy that Ross is getting back. He’s been out a long time with a problem with his foot. He feels better now, and I hope he can grow now also to release Vaclav [Cerny] at moments.
“We have options at the moment with Dani getting back, Hamza [Igamane], Cyriel [Dessers], Nedim can play in the three positions behind the striker. Ianis, who came back. There are more options there than in the beginning of the season.”
