Exclusive: Alex McLeish backs Rangers to make one change v Aberdeen, 22y/o to start
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 backed Steven Gerrard to start Rangers playmaker Ianis Hagi in the upcoming clash with Aberdeen on Sunday afternoon.
The Romanian was benched for the Old Firm game against Celtic and came off the bench for the second half in the 1-0 victory.
McLeish believes that Hagi did himself no harm in pushing for a starting spot, and expects him to come back into the side from the beginning at Pittodrie.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, McLeish said, “Yes, Hagi could.
“When you come on like that, with the enthusiasm that he showed, he didn’t give the ball. A lot of the creative players, because they tried to do something differently, and a bit more imaginative, they can lose the ball a lot.
“He caressed it well, he treated it well.”
Hagi was superb after coming off the bench in the Old Firm on Saturday and wanted to prove that Gerrard was wrong to drop him from the side.
The 22-year-old has rediscovered his early form at Ibrox, and has now scored three goals and delivered eight assists – the same number as James Tavernier.
With Kemar Roofe ruled out against Aberdeen, it is nearly a certainty that Hagi will be the forward to come in and replace him.
It should add more balance to the side too, with the Roofe and Alfredo Morelos partnership not quite working yet – beware the Dons.
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