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Ianis Hagi insider explains the REAL reason behind Rangers recall as loan target 'interest' heats up - Ibrox bulletin
Romania boss Mircea Lucescu has revealed he told Ianis Hagi to force his way back into Philippe Clement's plans at Rangers by making himself available for the club's B team earlier this season.
Hagi was frozen out by the Belgian after returning to Ibrox from a season-long loan at Alaves, and was omitted from the Gers squad for the Europa League. Despite speculation of a move elsewhere, the playmaker remained at Rangers after the summer window slammed shut, and has slowly but surely been incorporated back into the first team picture by Clement after building his match fitness up with the B team.
And Lucescu - who has continued to select the 26-year-old at international level - has opened up on his conversations with Hagi when it looked for all the world that he wouldn't be pulling on the Light Blues colours again. Speaking to gsp.ro, he said: "I spoke with Ianis and I know what it's about. Ianis is a sensational player, who was the basis of the success of the youth team. In many matches he was decisive.
"I am obliged to look first at the value of the player. After that, I look at his continuity in the game, because it is very important. That gives confidence, security...I don't always take players in good shape, because you take a player in good shape, you introduce him to the team and he doesn't know anything about what team play means! Principles, traits, philosophy and all that, it's hard to give him performance.
"Ianis' behavior within the group is extraordinary. And in training. How can I not keep him when he's in the top three in every training?The fact that he didn't play there was compensated by the training he did here. I was among those who asked for him to play for the second team! Have a rhythm of play, because the rhythm of play is extremely important."
Elsewhere, interest in reported Rangers target Joe Gelhardt has been ramped up. The Ibrox club are one of several clubs who have been touted with a January loan bid for the versatile Leeds forward, who has found minutes at Elland Road hard to come by this season. And according to FWL, Queens Park Rangers are the latest club to declare an interest in the 22-year-old's services.
Gelhardt was snapped up by Leeds from Wigan in 2020 and went on to make 35 appearances in total during their three seasons in the Premier League. He previously scored goals for England from U16 all the way up to U21 level.
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