Rangers were a penalty shoot-out away from silverware on Sunday, suffering yet more Hampden Park heartbreak at the hands of Celtic in the Scottish League Cup final.
Seven months after Jack Butland handed Adam Idah a stoppage time winner, it was the turn of another goalkeeper to take centre-stage.
And while Rangers boss Philippe Clement refused to lay the blame at Ridvan Yilmaz’s door, the Turkey international was the odd-man out as Kasper Schmeichel ensured that the trophy would be heading back to the green side of Glasgow after a thrilling final.
FCSB talisman Darius Olaru, in contrast, needed more arms than a blue-ringed octopus to carry all of his accolades as his weekend ended on a far more celebratory note.
Rangers have been linked with the Romania star again in recent times. Reportedly a long-time target for the Ibrox outfit, Olaru added the Romanian league’s Midfielder of the Year award to his 2023/24 title-winning medal in the country’s Footballers’ Association gala.
Not only that, Olaru was also named in the Team of the Season for the fourth time.
But with his 27th birthday approaching, after six seasons, over 200 games and three trophies, what is there left for Olaru to achieve at the club formerly known as Steaua Bucharest?
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Darius Olaru potentially opens door for Rangers transfer
Speaking to GSP, in the aftermath of another productive awards night for he and his club, Olaru admitted that the time might have come for a fresh start.
“For me, it was a perfect year. I think for my colleagues too. We won the title after so many years, we have a very good track record in Europe and, besides, we were also at the Euros [European Championships] and had good results,” Olaru says.
“I don’t know for sure [if I will leave FCSB in 2025]. I would like to. But, at the same time, I know I still have work to do here. I’ll see what happens in the near future.”
Gigi Becali, Olaru’s agent, admits that FCSB want £4 million for the reported Rangers target. He adds that Olaru is not desperate to force his way out, but his client will consider the offers which come his way.
By his own admission, the former Gaz Metan Medias man would like to play in England. Scotland, however, could be a route into the Premier League like so many before him.
“I don’t want to choose a championship,” Olaru explains. “I’ll see if I get any offers. I will analyse it very carefully but, until then, my thoughts are here.
“I like the Premier League, but it’s very difficult to get into the Premier League. But who knows?”
Neil Lennon can see why Rangers reportedly like Romania star
Olaru was likened to Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne in the past, due to his wonderful technical ability and his penchant for a defence-splitting pass.
In 28 games this season, he already has 13 goals and seven assists to his name. Numbers even De Bruyne at his peak would have been proud of.
Neil Lennon watched Rangers lose to his beloved Celtic at Hampden. Lennon also knows Darius Olaru well from his brief spell in charge of Rapid Bucharest, feeling that a man of his playmaking qualities and eye for goal would add another dimension to Philippe Clement’s selection.
“Darius Olaru, he is a very good player,” Lennon told Sport pe Surse. “He would certainly make Rangers better, but Celtic are very strong and playing great at the moment.”
