Hagi the Loan Ranger must keep delivering
Steven Gerrard has warned his players they will have no future at Rangers unless they perform every week.
That blunt threat even applies to the on-loan Ianis Hagi, despite the Ibrox manager acclaiming the young Romanian for a moment of genius.
Rangers have an option to buy the 21-year-old at the end of his loan spell from Genk this summer.
He played a crucial part in Rangers’ European success by scoring a double against Braga at home, and finding Ryan Kent with a brilliant pass for the goal that secured a 1-0 win in Portugal.
Gerrard said: “It was a moment of genius because that was all about vision and executing a really difficult pass.
“Being a midfielder, I really appreciated that moment, particularly on the back of a disappointing setback with him having a penalty saved.
“A lot of people would have gone missing for the rest of the game. But he stepped up and provided the moment that helped us to go on and get a very important win.
“That’s what I want from players.
“Setbacks and mistakes will happen, we’re going to have days where we are not ourselves. But if we are all on the same page, mentally, we’ll be better for it.”
There’s no hurry to secure Hagi on a longterm deal maintains Gerrard, but he will have to keep the top form going.
“All the players do to stay here,” continued the boss.
“That’s the club you are dealing with.
“Only consistency keeps you at Rangers, individually and collectively. It’s as simple as that.
“We’ve got time where Ianis is concerned.
“There’s still a lot of football to be played.
“He’s come in and had a real strong impact.
“We’ve been delighted with him, on and off the pitch, how professional he is, how much of a student of the game he is and how quickly he’s picked up how we want to play.
“People will talk about the assists and goals. But, positionally, he’s very clever.
“His work-rate, his attitude, he’s ticked every box since he’s come in.
“It’s fantastic to be in a position where we have got the first option, but I don’t really have to push the ball or make a decision right now.
“It is one we have time on, but he’s been fantastic so far.”