Romanian Olympic boss Mirel Radoi has admitted that having to leave Rangers‘ Ianis Hagi out of his squad for this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo weakens his team “considerably” after the Gers refused to release Hagi.
Hagi had publicly stated his desire to play in the Olympics after being named in Romania’s provisional squad but the Rangers number 7 was missing when the final list was released earlier this week,
Hagi is one of a number of big names missing from this year’s Olympics as clubs get tough over Covid fears and use the fact the competition isn’t one of FIFA’s sanctioned competitions to refuse players permission to travel.
“I regret I am unable to include Ianis Hagi and indeed, a lot of players on the original list. It clearly weakens my team considerably,” Radoi said, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“It makes our task to try and get out of the group all the tougher and we just have to accept clubs do not have to release their players for this tournament.
“It will be a very big challenge for us without our best players.”
Rangers star joins a host of players refused permission to play in the Olympics
Hagi joins the likes of Liverpool star Mo Salah, and Barcelona’s Pedri who have been refused permission to travel – although the Spanish teen’s situation is made more complicated by Spanish clubs being legally obliged to allow players to represent national teams.
While the squads could expad from their current size of 18 to 22 before the Games get started, Hagi will be staying in Glasgow as Rangers prepare for their title defence.
The upcoming Champions League qualifiers will also see Steven Gerrard’s squad stretched with Glen Kamara and Kemar Roofe both suspended.
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