It’s usually a sign of Rangers us cess when summer international tournaments come around and you see the players who have been called up to represent their countries.
Not many have made it on this occasion with even Ryan Jack, technically, not even contracted to the club after his release was announced by the club.
One who will be looking for a starring role is Ianis Hagi who has been given his dad’s famous old number as the Rangers playmaker dreams of being Romania’s talisman.
Ianis Hagi praised as Rangers star looks to be Romania hero
Previewing the European Championships on The Rest is Football podcast with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, Gary Lineker has pinpointed the Gers number seven as a potential match winner when discussing Romania’s chances:
“One of their star players is Ianis Hagi, who is a Rangers player. I think he went out on loan to Alaves. He is the son of Gheorghe Hagi, who was an absolutely brilliant footballer”
It’s a big summer for Hagi.
The 25-year old’s loan spell at Deportivo Alaves didn’t quite go to plan and it is unlikely to have inspired other Spanish sides to make Rangers an offer.
Hagi’s dream was always to play in Spain and he had at least experienced that and playing against the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
More importantly, he has stayed fit throughout the season and has shown no side effects from the knee surgery that robbed him of 12 months of his time at Rangers.
Speaking ahead of the Euros, Hagi was non committal about his future, instead, leaving the hard work to his agents to find a club that wants him, whether that is at Rangers or a move away from Glasgow:
“Once I took the first steps to the national team and introduced myself, my thoughts are only here.
“You can contact my managers.”
Euros give Hagi chance to show what he can do on biggest stage
Romania are putting their faith in a player who has been in solid form for his country since getting his place back in the team.
The number 10 shirt is used to having Hagi on the back of it and junior will be wanting to prove that he is worthy of the honour.
It speaks volumes about Hagi’s mentality that he is willing to embrace the pressure and responsibility rather than shy away from it.
If he does well it could be a key moment in his career.
Philippe Clement will be watching, but so too will be recruitment bosses from all over Europe and the rest of the world.
Should Hagi play at the level he is capable of, he could well find himself getting the same number at Rangers, if he doesn’t, Turkey appears to be the most likely destination.
Either way, with precious few Rangers players competing, Hagi will have the backing of every Rangers fan watching.
