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Rangers: Romanian media reacts to Ianis Hagi performance in win over Israel
Rangers loanee Ianis Hagi played 65 minutes as Romania secured their place at Euro 2024 with a 2-1 win over Israel on Saturday 18 November.
The 25-year-old scored the winning goal midway through the second half, moments before being substituted as Romania survived a late red card to take all three points and ensure that they will be making the trip to Germany next summer.
Hagi was widely considered the man of the match in Hungary on Saturday and the Romanian media have been quick to heap praise on the Light Blues loanee for his impressive display in midfield, especially for his all-important strike.
Romanian outlet Fanatik (18 November) gave the 25-year-old plenty of credit for scoring the “decisive” goal, a right-footed effort from just inside the penalty area which they described as arguably the “most important success of his career” so far.
The Romanian outlet also revealed that manager Edi Iordanescu had planned to remove the Rangers loanee from the action before he scored what ultimately proved to be the winner, giving him credit for keeping Hagi on the field for the perfect amount of time.
Magical moment
It has by no means been an easy start to the campaign for Hagi this season, with the Romanian facing a late exile from Ibrox to join Deportivo Alavez on a season-long loan having spoken out about his lack of playing time under Michael Beale.
His start to life in Spain has been slow and he is still waiting for his first La Liga goal, but he showed his quality for his national side with an impressive performance on Saturday and an even more important goal to confirm their place at next summer’s Euros.
The Romanian international had three shots against Israel, testing the keeper with two of his efforts and was as lively as ever on the ball. He completed both of his two attempted dribbles and completed four passes into the final third as he drove his side into the penalty area.
While Rangers are flying under Philippe Clement currently, you have to wonder whether or not the Light Blues would have benefited from having him in their ranks at times this season.
It remains unknown whether or not we’ll see Hagi in a Rangers shirt again after the conclusion of his loan, but if continues these impressive performances Clement will have to take note.
In other Rangers news, Peter Grant has admitted that he was surprised that the Light Blues didn’t try and sign Lawrence Shankland this summer