I’LL BE YOUR SPARK OF LIFE Hagi:
I’m a creator on the pitch and can give Gers something special
Steven Gerrard admits Rangers need a spark to re-ignite their title challenge.
And new boy Ianis Hagi has begged the Ibrox boss for the chance to provide it.
Both were left frustrated yesterday as the Light Blues suffered another Premiership slip-up by failing to break down Aberdeen at home.
The goalless draw leaves them four points behind champions Celtic, who travel to Hamilton Accies this afternoon.
Gerrard knows his team haven’t been themselves since returning from their winter camp in Dubai.
As well as losing to Hearts at Tynecastle, they’ve toiled at home against St Mirren and Ross County.
He recruited on-loan Genk playmaker Hagi in the window, hoping the 21-year-old can be the solution to his attacking problem.
And after making his Ibrox bow, the Romanian says he’s desperate to get the nod against Hibs on Wednesday night.
Hagi only got 15 minutes to shine against the Dons, who put the shutters up and deserved their point.
But he showed enough in his cameo that he won’t hide, he’ll be brave on the ball and he’ll constantly look to break lines and create chances in the final third.
Gerrard was impressed and must be tempted now to throw him in against the Hibees in midweek.
Apart from the result, Hagi loved his first outing in front of the club’s supporters.
And he’s convinced that he can provide the genial quality his manager is looking for at the business end of the season.
Hagi said: “Could I provide the spark he’s looking for? Yeah, I can show my qualities and help the team as much as I can.
“I’m the guy that creates so whenever I go on the field, I know what my job is.
“Hopefully I can do that in every game for Rangers going forward.
“I have a lot of work to do, to create a chemistry with my new team-mates quickly. But hopefully we’ll get that and everything will go well.
“I feel fit and ready to start on Wednesday night but that doesn’t depend on me, you have to ask the coach for his decision in the next game.”
Hagi was given a terrific reception by the Gers support after replacing Scott Arfield on 77 minutes.
He immediately got on the ball, trying to create space for himself or others to carve out chances.
He was taken aback by the noise of more than 50,000 fans – but left gutted his team couldn’t plunder three points.
Hagi said: “Overall, the experience was good and bad for me. I was really happy to make my debut for such a huge club in front of the fans. “They were amazing. The atmosphere in the stands was incredible. I don’t think I could see one seat in the stadium that wasn’t occupied. But I can’t be too happy because we just got one point at home so we’re disappointed with that.
“I felt good coming on. Everything has happened so fast for me and it’s just my second day at the club.
“I don’t really want to talk about the mood in the locker room right now.
“But we have games every two or three days here so there’s no time to look back – we just have to look forward and fight for the points coming up. I can’t wait for the next few games.”
Gerrard’s team struggled to break Aberdeen down and could have no complaints at having to settle for a share of the spoils.
The fans vented their anger at more dropped points and Hagi knows it’s imperative that Gers get back on track quickly.
He says he knew what to expect from the Scottish
Premiership in terms of the league’s physicality.
And the pressure at
Ibrox to win every game as they chase down
Celtic is something he’s excited about.
He sa i d : “The standard of football was intense, it was physical out there.
“But it’s a good league, with good football played.
“I knew that already because
I watched a couple of games.
“I know what to expect here but obviously I’ll need a few games to adapt and get this chemistry with the other players that I need.
“The fans were frustrated and I could sense how important it is to them to win this league. It’s a club and a support that has a mentality to win every game.
“It’s pressure in every minute of every game here – but I’m good with that.”
A frustrated Gerrard was pleased with the glimpses of quality Hagi showed in the latter stages but knows it will take time for him to settle.
He said: “I think he showed his quality, I love the way he plays with his head up.
He’s always looking and searching for something.
“But he’s only had one session with us, he needs time to adapt.
“I wanted to give him a taste of it so he could help us with that spark.”