‘Shot in the arm’ – Exclusive: McLeish delighted with impact of benched Rangers star
We’re delighted to welcome former Rangers manager Alex McLeish as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…
Alex McLeish has claimed that Rangers playmaker Ianis Hagi changed the game against Celtic after coming off the bench in the 1-0 win.
The Romanian was brought on at half-time at Ibrox, replacing Kemar Roofe who had picked up an injury worry in the opening 45 minutes.
McLeish believes that Hagi thrived on the pockets of space that are usually so hard to find, something which gave him a shot in the arm going forward.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, McLeish said, “It was probably a really good time to put him on, credit Steve for that.
“Hagi came on at a time when a lot of the Rangers players weren’t excelling in the creativity department.
“He was able to go and express him a little bit more than we’ve seen in recent games. It allowed Hagi to pick out little pockets which intelligent players do, and he probably hasn’t had that kind of room.
“Hagi did give himself a shot in the arm with that one.”
Hagi could have found himself unfortunate to have been on the bench after shining in the win at St. Mirren only days before the Old Firm.
His impact off the bench will have given Steven Gerrard the best possible headache ahead of the trip to Aberdeen on Sunday.
With Roofe potentially ruled out at Pittodrie, it is the perfect opportunity for Hagi to come back in and cement his spot once again at Ibrox.
The 22-year-old has scored three times and delivered a further eight assists, and we back him to overtake James Tavernier’s record if he starts this Sunday.
In other Rangers news, McLeish makes title claim after Old Firm victory against Celtic