Rangers interference in Philippe Clement decision on Ianis Hagi blasted amid Ibrox exile
Philippe Clement should be the only one making decisions on the football side at Rangers amid potential interference on the Ianis Hagi situation, says Derek Ferguson.
The Romanian international is still at the club but languishing in the B Team, seemingly due to a clause believed to be in his contract that will cost the Light Blues financially if he makes another appearance [Daily Record, 13 August] – he has made 99 to date.
Clement had seemingly been steadfast in his insistence there was no route back into the side for the 25-year-old, despite Hagi being set on a return after refusing a move to Rapid Bucharest [Sky Sports, 26 August, 9.03pm].
But when asked it about it on 13 September he appeared to waver and admitted that while the situation hadn’t changed he wasn’t solely responsible, saying: “It’s not only my decision in that way. So we will see what the future will bring there.”
Ferguson doesn’t think the Belgian can afford to keep Hagi frozen out, despite some key contributions from regular starter Tom Lawrence, and criticised the possibility that squad decisions may be made above the manager’s head.
He exclusively told Ibrox News: “Well he’s the manager in terms of the football side of it so I don’t think any of the guys from above should be having their input in that.
“We hear all this about if he plays another game his wages go up but Hagi, to be fair to him, has come out and says he’d be willing to wheel and deal and come to some sort of other agreement.
“I just don’t think the manager can afford, at the moment, to ignore Hagi. He’s a good player. He’s proved that in the past.
“Again, we’ve got players in that number 10 role, in terms of Lawrence who scored a great goal, but we need competition because that’s the most important thing.”
Tom Lawrence competition at Rangers called for
It is an increasingly bizarre situation for a club that has well-documented financial strains and a squad that has struggled for form so far this term to be paying their most experienced international to play for the reserves.
Lawrence has improved after some indifferent displays to start the campaign but still drifts in and out of games, although his more regular impact in front of goal is certainly welcome, and despite the Deadline Day arrival of Nedim Bajrami Clement is still not overrun with attacking options.
Injuries are a constant issue at Ibrox as well so it is a major surprise that Hagi remains out in the cold, and when he released a public statement via his Instagram on 27 August indicating he would he open to a compromise there seems no reason for that not to be worked on.
In other Rangers news, a Sky Sports pundit has expressed his surprise to see a star player drop to fifth choice.
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