WE’LLNEEDTO REPLACE HAGI
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knee surgery in London yesterday. The Romania international limped out of his side’s Scottish Cup 4-0 win over Stirling Albion on Friday night.
And the prospect of his extended absence has convinced the Ibrox boss of the need to bring in an attacker ahead of Monday’s deadline.
Van Bronckhorst said: “Ianis has had a knee operation. He had to have a reconstruction, so we won’t see him in this season.
“It’s a serious injury and it’s bad news. It’s a big blow.
“An important player is not available for the coming months, so we are looking to add a player to the squad.
“As I said before, it needs to be a player we think is right. You don’t want to get players in just to make up the numbers – you want to have a good balance in the team.
“But we are definitely looking to add a player in the coming days.”
An upbeat Hagi tweeted last night: “I know there will be some tough times ahead of me as well.
“But I definitely see this as an opportunity to discover and develop myself as a person and football player, and will come back better than ever. The road to recovery begins.”
Van Bronckhorst also revealed Ryan Jack is ready to make a longawaited return from injury in tonight’s top-flight clash with Livingston, along with fit-again Scott Arfield.
Filip Helander and Steven Davis are on the brink of full fitness and both could be back in time for Saturday’s match at Ross County. But Hagi’s loss has rocked van Bronckhorst, who added: “Obviously we are always looking to add players to the squad and make sure we are prepared if something happens.
“When we have to move, it’s only good to bring players who can add something to Rangers.
“If we want players in, they have to be the right players. Otherwise it’s better to keep your squad as it is.”
Asked if he is happy to have kept hold of his star men, van Bronckhorst said: “So far, yes. I hope it stays like this. It’s always a crazy time, the transfer window, because you never know what’s going to happen.
“There are six days to go so we just have to wait and see how it will evolve.”
Van Bronckhorst has already tied up a pre-contract move for Hearts defender John Souttar and had hoped to strike a deal to complete the switch this month.
But those plans may change now cash is needed to find a replacement for Hagi. Van Bronckhorst said: “I said before, we are happy that John will join us for next season and he will only come in this window if we think it’s the right thing to do.
“If not, then we’ll welcome him in a couple of months.”