According to a recent report by the Daily Record, former Brazilian international striker Rivaldo has urged Rangers’ Romanian winger Ianis Hagi to find a move away from the Ibrox Stadium as he isn’t given regular playing time. The legendary attacker was seemingly surprised to find out that the talented Hagi didn’t start for Steven Gerrard’s side, and even went on to say that the player should seek certain assurances for the Premiership club. Rivaldo is said to believe that the lack of action could soon force the youngster to search for a move away.
Although the report sees Rivaldo urging Ianis Hagi to quit Rangers to find playing time, whether or not that possibility has crossed the Romanian attacker’s mind remains to be seen. Speaking to Betfair on the matter, the Brazilian legend said, “I don’t see Scottish Premiership matches regularly but it is a surprise for me to know Ianis Hagi is not playing as a regular starter. He is very talented, and I’ve really been impressed by his football when I have watched him play. He also has a great personality on the pitch and clearly needs to play more often. I would advise him to find out if there are more chances coming at Rangers soon, or if he should search for another club where he could prove his value.”
What Is Rangers’ Current Situation In Attack?
The Ibrox club have what is undoubtedly the Scottish Premiership’s best attacking roster. Not only are they well-stacked in midfield and defence, but the sheer number of attacking options they have has come as a blessing in disguise to Steven Gerrard’s men as well. Various questions were asked about whether Rangers actually had too many strikers going into the season, however, that issue has been dealt with in emphatic fashion by Steven Gerrard. The Liverpool legend has managed to rotate the side in an extremely effective manner, while also being able to find potentially better positions for a host of his players.
The likes of Joe Aribo, Cedric Itten and Kemar Roofe have all played down the flank on numerous occasions this season, and it must be conceded that none of them have had a bad game as such. While the defence line’s sheer work-rate and energy levels cannot be questioned, the offence deserves it’s fair share of credit as well. Yet to lose a game this season, the kind of attacking play they’ve been producing over recent weeks is right up there with the best. Despite this, if there was one player whose first-team opportunities have been limited since the start of the season, it would have to be Ianis Hagi.
What Makes Hagi A Key Player For Rangers?
Hagi is a mercurial talent. His finishing and ball-carrying abilities are second to none on his day, and there will come a point where his services come good for the Ibrox club. Although he is a willing runner with the ball, whenever he has played, he has been utilised on the flank, and that position doesn’t suit him at all. Hagi isn’t the fastest player in this Rangers team by any stretch, but he tends to more than make up for it with his technical ability and composure in possession. While his defensive work might not be the most impressive, it takes nothing away from his ability as a footballer.
Rivaldo Urging Ianis Hagi To Quit Rangers To Find Playing Time: Gerrard Mustn’t Sell Him
The Romanian attacker is unquestionably at his best when operating in the number ten role, largely because he enjoys getting on the ball and making things happen. Unfortunately for him, Steven Gerrard’s current setup at the Ibrox doesn’t include a number two, with the third midfielder almost operating as a more advanced number eight. Playing him in that slot isn’t really an option either, as the likes of Joe Aribo and Scott Arfield have been in explosive form of late.
Even with that said, it must be taken into account that his displays against European teams are often quite impressive. With Rangers now into the knockout stages of the Europa League, suddenly letting him depart has the potential to collapse the entire balance that Gerrard has created at the Ibrox since the start of the campaign.
