HAGI HOPES TO FIND NEW LEVEL WITH GERS BOSS

Ianis Hagi is looking to take his game to the next level under Rangers boss Giovanni Van Bronckhorst.

The Gers’ hard-fought 1-0 cinch Premiership win over an under-strength Dundee United side at Ibrox on Saturday took the champions seven points clear of Old Firm rivals Celtic at the top of the table.

Former Rangers, Arsenal, Barcelona and Holland midfielder Van Bronckhorst has won seven and drawn one of the eight games as Light Blues manager since taking over from Steven Gerrard.

Romania international Hagi – who was named sponsors’ man-of-thematch against United, although the bemused reaction of the home support suggested they did not concur – is glad to be continuing his football development under the Dutchman.

The 23-year-old attacker said: “I had the privilege to be coached by Steven Gerrard and I improved a lot as a player and I think I have become a more complete player.

“I learned the team part of football that I wasn’t used to.

“And now being under a coach that has played at the highest level, a leader, a captain for the national team as well in his time, it is just a privilege and I just want to bring my game to the next level.

“The way he thinks about football, I love it and I see myself playing in different positions and I just enjoy it.

“I am not taking anything for granted and every second at the training ground and at the stadium I am trying to learn.

“I am being open to playing different positions and just trying to get my game to the next level, it is that simple for me.”

Van Bronckhorst said he was happy with the points but not the performance.

He said: “Out of the games I have coached, this is one of the less effective ones.

“We had to dig in deep to get the points but we did it and this week we will use to prepare really well for the last week before the winter break

“It was a difficult game, we saw a Dundee United team who did everything to give us a challenge which they did.”