Journo urges Giovanni van Bronckhorst to shelve ‘failed’ Ianis Hagi experiment on Rangers return
Derek Clark has urged Giovanni van Bronckhorst to play Ianis Hagi in his natural number-ten position when the Romanian returns from his long Rangers layoff.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder hasn’t featured since January after suffering a devastating knee injury which ended his 2022/23 campaign.
However, Hagi has released pictures on Instagram (17 November) of him back on grass as he ramps up his rehab before his eventual comeback for the Gers.
When the 24-year-old does return to action, Clark has urged the Rangers’ boss to not play the midfielder in a wide right position.
“There will also be a likely conundrum for the manager as to where to play him and if he and Malik Tillman can play in the same team,” wrote Clarke (Rangers Review, 18 November).
“Hagi is best suited as a No.10, the failed experiment of him featuring on the right-hand side of the attack should be confined to history.”
Need him back
Although it’s absolutely essential Rangers don’t rush Hagi back into the action, the Romanian has been sorely missed by van Bronckhorst so far in the 2022/23 season. He’s a livewire for the Light Blues, who can make something happen out of nothing. At times when the team aren’t performing at their best, having a player such as Hagi can be absolutely vital.
The Gers’ boss has been under immense pressure in recent weeks, however, it’s fair to say he hasn’t had the best of luck when it comes to injuries of late. Some of his most experienced players have been out of action, which has left huge gaps in his squad.
If the Ibrox board do stick by van Bronckhorst, he has to hope as many of his injured players return to action when the Scottish Premiership kickstarts in the middle of December. If Gers can welcome back a number of new faces, it could well feel like a fresh start for the 47-year-old as he looks to turn his fortunes around at Ibrox.
In other Rangers news, the Ibrox board have not yet held any talks despite the club’s woeful form as the boss jets off to Holland.