Ianis Hagi’s legendary father would be ‘happy’ to see him join Galatasaray in the future but insists that the Romania international is still part of Rangers’ plans, speaking to Agerpres.
Hagi Jr has not made a single appearance for Rangers this season after undergoing knee surgery. That has not stopped speculation raging about the playmaker’s future, however; Turkish publication Kara suggesting that Ianis could follow in Gheorghe’s footsteps at Galatasaray sooner rather than later.
But, after Ibrox boss Mick Beale pointed out that the £4 million signing from KRC Genk still has a ‘big role’ to play when he returns to action, arguably Romania’s greatest-ever footballer is at pains to point out that a move to Turkey is not currently on the cards.
“I would be happy for Ianis to go to Galatasaray at some point,” says Gheorghe Hagi. “But, at the moment, there is no problem. “At the moment, I know that he is loved and wanted at Rangers very much.”
Ianis Hagi still has a ‘big role’ to play under Mick Beale at Rangers
After 12 months on the sidelines, Beale admitted during his Friday press conference that Hagi will return to the fold for tomorrow’s meeting with St Johnstone in Glasgow.
“I’m delighted to have him back. He looks really sharp,” Beale tells Sky Sports. “He’s not ready for 90 minutes but, to have Ianis Hagi and Todd Cantwell in the squad, I’m a really happy manager.
“Ianis and I are really close. He is a special young person to have around the place, as a professional and a kid. To have him back is massive. He has been missing for a year and he would have been a big player for us.
“With Ianis and Todd in there, we look a better Rangers. All of a sudden we are starting to look like we have numbers up the pitch, and good variety. There is not a lot missing in the final third if they are all fit and happy.”
The mercurial Hagi looks a natural fit for the ‘number ten’ role in Beale’s system, though he now faces renewed competition for a starting berth from January recruit Cantwell and Bayern Munich loanee Malik Tillman.
Ryan Kent has thrived in a more central role at times under Beale, while youngster Alex Lowry appears to have a very bright future at Ibrox too. Rangers are also still keen to push through a deal for Swansea City’s Morgan Whittaker.
Hagi’s fellow Romanian Alexi Pitu has also been linked with a move to Scotland, but he sealed a £1.7 million switch to France this week.
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