‘Something special’ – Ferguson gushes over Rangers star who has ‘learned to do the dirty work’
Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson has heaped praise on Ianis Hagi for combining his supreme talents with the work ethic to match.
Hagi was the match-winner on Wednesday as his superb solo goal handed the Gers a 1-0 win against St Johnstone to push the team 23 points clear of Celtic at the top of the Premiership.
Speaking in his Daily Record column, Ferguson applauded Hagi’s tireless energy as well as his superb abilities on the ball.
He said: “This is a very different Rangers team we are watching now and you just have to look at match-winner Ianis Hagi to see why they have improved.
“For such a talented, technically gifted player when he’s got the ball at his feet, Hagi has learned to do the dirty work when he’s not in possession.
“His workrate and willingness to put a shift in for his team-mates is every bit as important and impressive as his ability to conjure up a goal like he did.
“When Gers needed something special, it was his turn to come up with the answer.”
No fear Hagi’s here
Hagi has certainly stepped it up a gear in the last few months.
He was a bit-part player in the opening few months of the season but after starting and scoring in the first meeting with St Johnstone this season on December 23, the Romania international has become a pivotal figure in the side, starting six of the subsequent eight games.
According to Wyscout, Hagi averages 3.25 recoveries per 90 in the Premiership this season but he has beaten that total twice in his last three games (v St Johnstone, Ross County and Motherwell) while being involved in more defensive duels in all these games than his season average of 4.78.
There has also been a marked improvement on the technical aspects of his game as figures of 83%, 75% and 100% for accuracy of forward passes trumps his 66.7% season total.
There has been output to go with this as he has registered a goal and an assist in his last two games to add to the three goal involvements over the festive period.
With the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe missing games through various reasons Hagi has really stepped up to the plate and made himself a key figure for the Light Blues as they hunt domestic and European success.
Ferguson is spot on, Hagi really does have it all in his locker at the moment.
In other Rangers news, Kris Boyd leaps to the defence of Gers star after latest controversy.