Rangers will make my boy a star
Icon Gheorghe says Ianis has chosen the ideal team
GHEORGHE HAGI believes Rangers can help catapult son Ianis’ career after watching his Euro heroics against Braga at Ibrox.
And Light Blues assistant boss Gary McAllister admits the club will look into making the on-loan Genk star’s move permanent if he can
continue his flying start in Glasgow.
Romanian legend Hagi jetted in to watch his boy in Rangers action for the first time on Thursday.
And he grabbed the headlines with a stunning two-goal show as Steven Gerrard’s men roared back from two goals down to beat Braga 3-2 in the first leg of their Europa League clash.
The 55-year-old spoke with Gerrard and assistant McAllister after the game and told the pair he believes Rangers offer the perfect stage to showcase his talents.
Hagi arrived in January on a loan deal until the end of the season but, crucially, Gers have an option to buy clause in the deal that could see them land the playmaker for around £4million.
The camera panned in on former Barcelona, Real Madrid and Galatasaray midfield maestro Hagi after the first of his son’s two goals and he appeared to be reduced to tears but admitted it was the biting cold Glasgow weather.
And on his return to Romania, he said: “Ianis has chosen the ideal team, the ideal club and he is doing very well. He is fit, plays well and is happy.
“I want to say well done and congratulations to Rangers because they played a tremendous match. They have a chance of qualifying but they are playing against a very good team in Braga.
“I don’t need to say anything to Ianis, he knows what to do. Yes, I did discuss him with Steven Gerrard before the match. That’s all I want to say about the night.
“From now, I’ll let you see how he’s doing for himself. He will be the one doing the speaking.
“And I wasn’t crying. The reason it looked like there was tears in my eyes is because it was very cold!”
McAllister, who played
against Hagi in a Euro 92 qualifier for Scotland, said: “If the lad keeps performing then it’s something we’ve got to be looking at it (to exercise the option to buy).
“I am party to that decision but the manager has the final say. He has impressed all of us and we want to keep this young man going and keep his confidence high.
“There’s no doubt that if you’re a player who aspires to play at a level and in front of an arena like Ibrox, surely that’s where you would want to be. It’s up there amongst the very best.
“If you’re a player on Thursday night and scored a couple of goals in front of 50,000 fans singing your name then he’s enjoying it.
“I spoke to Gheorghe prior to the game and after it. I had to remind him that we beat them at Hampden 2-1 just so he wasn’t floating about Ibrox as if he is the top man!
“I have to say he was one of my favourite players and I am not just saying that because we have signed his son. Hagi was up there with one of the best players I have been on the pitch with.
“He is really pleased because he was aware of Ibrox and of Rangers but being there on Thursday night confirmed that his son is in the right place for his development.
“The fact that there is an expectant crowd, the expectation levels are massive and you have to win every game. That is where he sees his son, playing in that theatre.”