Rangers round-up: Hagi exit twist, Boyd urges £3.5m transfer U-turn
Rangers are hoping to put a disappointing draw with Aberdeen behind them as they prepare for Europa League action.
The Gers will progress to the semi-finals if they beat Athletic Bilbao on Thursday (17 April), which would be a remarkable achievement considering the circumstances when Barry Ferguson took over.
With the campaign edging towards a close, plans are being put in place for next season in terms of both transfers and the future of the interim boss, with the 49ers takeover still to be completed.
Here, Ibrox News rounds up the latest reports and rumours from Govan on 15 April.
Europa League clash with Bilbao predicted by supercomputer
Ferguson’s side put in a brilliant performance to hold Bilbao to a draw at Ibrox despite several decisions going against them.
However, the Opta supercomputer has predicted that Rangers will lose in Spain, giving the hosts a 14.3 per cent chance of securing victory.
Meanwhile, the Spaniards have been given a 68 per cent chance, with a draw having a 17.7 per cent probability.
Lovenkrands blasts Ferguson after Aberdeen decision
Light Blues legend Peter Lovenkrands has blasted Ferguson for his decision to make so many changes for the 2-2 draw against Aberdeen.
The Gers boss made nine changes to his starting line-up with eyes already turning to the Europa League showdown with Bilbao.
However, Lovenkrands believes that this was synonymous with the wider problems at the Auchenhowie outfit.
Speaking on the Scottish Football Social Club podcast (14 April), he said: “No, I get it, but for me personally, I wouldn’t have done that.
“I think as Rangers football team, you go and win every game there is, and I remember myself playing, you don’t want to get rested, you don’t want to miss certain games
Boyd urges Rangers to make £3.5m U-turn
Kris Boyd has urged Rangers to back out of their pre-arranged deal for Oscar Cortes.
The 21-year-old has featured just eight times in Scottish Premiership this season as injuries have wrecked havoc on his campaign.
The Light Blues have a £3.5million obligation to buy the Colombian winger in the summer but Boyd insists that they should try to cancel the transfer.
Speaking on the Go Ballistic podcast (15 April), he said: “With Cortes, you’ve not paid the money for him yet. It was nice to see him back on the pitch, as we know where he is now.
“If there was any way Rangers could get out of this deal, or at least try to, they should take advantage of it.”
Hagi exit twist emerges away from Rangers
Ianis Hagi continues to be linked with a move away from Ibrox as his contract winds to an end.
Adrian Ilie, a teammate of the Gers star’s father, Gheorghe, has claimed that two Bundesliga clubs are in pursuit of the 26-year-old’s services.
He claimed that Hagi could earn as much as £1.7million from a potential switch, which is certainly more than he makes in Govan.
In quotes reported by Fanatik (14 April), he said: “I had a lot of discussions with his agent. There are two teams interested in the Bundesliga, especially since he is leaving for free.
“It’s Hoffenheim and Borussia Monchengladbach. There have already been discussions. His agent has spoken to Gladbach.
“[Hagi could earn] 3 million [Euros] gross, yes. A lot of taxes are paid and I say he can get 1.5-2 million euros (£1.7million) net.”