With Glasgow Rangers looking highly unlikely to win silverware this season (should it resume after the COVID-19 break), could the Scottish giants lose out on a key transfer target?
In the first half of the 2019-20 season, the Gers were pushing their Old Firm rivals Celtic all the way to winning the SPFL title.
The January arrival of Ianis Hagi on loan has added an excellent midfielder to Steven Gerrard’s Rangers squad, but the side’s form has been poor in 2020.
Hagi’s playing style has drawn comparisons with that of his famous father Gheorghe due to his dribbling skills, passing, two-footedness and playmaking ability.
An attacking midfield role is his preference, due to excellent vision and technique to execute many assists. Hagi junior also has an eye for scoring goals.
The Romania international joined on loan on January 31 from Genk and has three goals and two assists to his name after 11 appearances.
In his two Europa League games, he scored twice and produced an assist.
A pleasing statistic for a young player, that must have impressed Rangers boss Gerrard.
Alfredo Morelos is the only other Gers player to score more than once in this season’s European competition, and no midfield player scored more goals than him.
When Hagi signed for Rangers, the Glasgow giants still had three decent chances of actually winning a trophy.
A decent SPFL title opportunity, a good chance in the William Hill Scottish Cup and less chance with quality teams in the Europa League.
None the less, 21-year-old Hagi has been a success in the Glasgow side despite playing alongside too many off-form players.
Three of his biggest assets are his versatility, his ability to be comfortable on the ball with both foot, and is successful playing in different positions.
If the coronavirus pandemic allows the league to actually complete their unfinished games by June 30, then the Gers still have a game in hand over Celtic.
But, with Rangers 13 points behind with only nine matches left, the chances are very slim for them to overtake the Hoops.
Celtic won the BetFred League Cup 1-0 against Rangers despite being the poorer team on the day and the Gers lost 1-0 away to Hearts in the William Hill Scottish Cup.
Bayer Leverkusen won 3-1 at Ibrox, and with the second leg in Germany, Rangers need a miracle to progress in the Europa League.
Gerrard will be desperate to win silverware next season, therefore, keeping hold of Hagi as part of his talented squad could be a very good idea.
A report from the Glasgow Times says Hagi is eager to remain at the club beyond his initial loan deal, in great news for the Ibrox side.
Surely Rangers must push the boat out to land this star of great potential?
