Gheorghe Hagi rages at Rangers exit speculation surrounding son Ianis Hagi amid £3m Celta Vigo development
Gheorge Hagi has reacted furiously at speculation that his son Ianis could leave Rangers this summer after signing a new contract four months ago.
Hagi penned a new three-year deal at Ibrox in December after recovering from a year-long layoff after a serious knee injury.
But after amassing just 101 minutes of football this season there have been reports that La Liga side Celta Vigo could sign him this summer in a £3m deal, however speaking to Digi Sport (21 April) his father poured cold water on those rumours and insisted he would be a valuable player at Ibrox next season.
“You cannot talk about the departure of a player who renewed his contract two months ago. He’s at the Rangers and he plays for the Rangers,” he said.
“He stayed for a year or so and he is not leaving on loan because he is a valuable player. If Rangers renew your contract it means you are a very valuable player. There is no loan coming to Farul. He is an important player and it is a shame to throw out untrue things. Don’t give me lessons, Ianis was the best player until he got injured.
“Now he has a process of readjustment to the effort, that’s all. He is a starter at Rangers, not a reserve. There is no such possibility; This is stupid. He has reached a level and cannot come back.
“Ianis is going through a rehabilitation process, when he will play, let’s see. I know from reliable sources that he is a very important player for Rangers, for the future of the club. He is healthy, he trains with the team. It is not easy, it is important for Ianis to play.”
Excellent news
Hagi has become a bit of a forgotten man at Ibrox this season since his injury because of all the attacking options that we have available to us.
He’s found himself behind all of Ryan Kent, Fashion Sakala Jr, Malik Tillman, Todd Cantwell, Scott Arfield, Rabbi Matondo and Scott Wright in recent weeks but there is no doubt that Michael Beale rates him and trusts him.
With the boss hinting that Kent is likely to leave the club at the end of his contract in the summer, while several other players will move on too for sure, Hagi will rise up that pecking order with a full summer of pre-season under his belt.
If he can recapture the form that made him a fan favourite and regular in the team under Steven Gerrard, then it will be the same as a new signing coming in and having that effect on a team.
There’s no doubt that Hagi has a future at the club, but he won’t be gifted a starting spot and will have to earn it. If he’s willing to fight for his shirt, then there’s no reason for him to leave.
In other Rangers news, the Old Firm clubs are doing battle for the signature of a Bundesliga “top talent”.