Hagi can get over his name and win the title
Csaba Laszlo is adamant ‘born leader’ Ianis Hagi has already shown he can overcome his greatest challenge – the name on his back.
And the former Hearts and Dundee United boss has no doubt the precocious playmaker will relish the task of firing Rangers to the title.
Laszlo’s most-recent position was as head coach of Romanian top-flight outfit, Sepsi OSK.
He was dazzled by the direct running and eye for goal of Hagi, who was shining with their rivals, Viitorul Constanta, owned and coached by his iconic father, Gheorghe.
Those talents led to a £4-million move to KRC Genk last summer, which has ultimately fallen flat, allowing Rangers to secure his services on loan.
“The biggest problem that Ianis has to face is his name,” recalled Laszlo, who was born in Romania. “To say ‘Hagi’ means everything. He is the best footballer Romania has ever produced.
“I played against him during my career, and I have coached against him in Romania. He is a true legend.
“So of course it is difficult for Ianis, with people waiting for him to become his father. The expectations were so high, and that is big pressure.
“But he is such a focused boy and he has handled everything. That says a lot about his mentality.
“He has been a leader at club level, he has been a leader when he stepped up to the full Romania national team. You cannot teach that – you are either born a leader, or you are not.
“Ianis is two-footed, direct, has an eye for goal and has great football intelligence.
“The Scottish league is a little bit more tough than the league in Romania or Belgium, in a physical sense, so maybe he will need some patience for that.
“But, for footballing talent, he is very special. And Rangers is a good club for him because they are trying to play attractive, passing football and that will suit him.
“Steven Gerrard as a coach has a lot of tactical knowledge and will use him in the right way.
“You do not take Ianis Hagi to chase long balls!
“He is 100% capable of being the player who makes a difference in the fight for the title.
“And I would expect Ianis to do well enough for Rangers to buy him in the summer.”