Glasgow Rangers lastly received an Previous Agency match underneath Philippe Clement on Thursday because the Ibrox facet blew Celtic away with an exceptional show within the conventional festive conflict between the 2.
Given the respective type of each groups, a 3-0 win for Rangers definitely didn’t seem on the radar, however the efficiency should give the supervisor hope that the second half of the season might be higher than the primary.
A lot of the improved show towards Celtic was right down to a dynamic entrance 4 who labored effectively collectively to trigger the defence all types of issues. Nedim Bajrami confirmed his class as a quantity ten, whereas Hamza Igamane’s motion drew opposition gamers out of place commonly.
It was the 2 wingers – Ianis Hagi and Vaclav Cerny – who proved to be probably the most artistic in assault. Cerny hit the woodwork twice whereas Hagi not solely scored the opener, however he additionally delivered eight crosses into the field and made 4 key passes through the course of the sport.
It appears to be like as if he’s lastly again to his sensible greatest after a contract dispute threatened to finish his Ibrox spell prior to anticipated.
If he can keep this type of kind, the Romanian might be an enormous asset to Clement between now and the tip of the marketing campaign. That’s a certainty.
Ianis Hagi’s Rangers statistics
It’s laborious to imagine that Steven Gerrard signed Hagi 5 years in the past. The infant-faced attacking midfielder loved a strong first few months in Glasgow, with the highlights being the 2 targets he scored towards Braga to seal a 3-2 comeback win.
All through the 2020/21 season, the participant performed a starring function because the Gers received the Premiership title unbeaten. Hagi not solely registered 18 goal contributions – seven targets and 11 assists – within the prime flight alone, however he averaged one key go per sport whereas creating 9 huge probabilities.
|
Ianis Hagi’s stats within the Premiership for Rangers (full seasons solely) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Metric |
2020/21 |
2021/22 |
2024/25 |
|
Targets |
7 |
2 |
1 |
|
Assists |
11 |
0 |
3 |
|
Large probabilities created |
6 |
2 |
3 |
|
Photographs per sport |
1.8 |
2.4 |
2.2 |
|
Key passes per sport |
1 |
1.5 |
1.9 |
Hagi regarded to construct upon this throughout the next marketing campaign and whereas he was a daily within the beginning XI, towards Stirling Albion in a Scottish Cup tie, the playmaker suffered a season-ending injury which halted his progress.
By the point he returned to full health, Michael Beale was in cost and clearly didn’t fancy him, sending him on mortgage to Alaves in La Liga for the 2023/24 season.
His dedication to the membership is obvious, managing to kind out the contractual dispute which threatened to finish his keep in Glasgow, and it now appears to be like like he may very well be an necessary participant for the group.
With the winter window now open, Clement might be eager to make a number of signings so as to add some much-needed depth to his first-team squad.
There have already been a number of names linked with a transfer to Ibrox, however there’s one participant who has been touted with a transfer to Rangers earlier than. Not solely that, however he may very well be the following Hagi for the membership…
Rangers eager on signing Romanian sensation
Earlier than Christmas, the Daily Record claimed that Rangers have been reportedly eager on a deal to signal FCSB midfielder Darius Olaru when the January switch window opened.
The participant has a launch clause of simply €4m (£3.3m) inserted into his contract, which makes him a lovely possibility for Clement, particularly if some deadwood may very well be moved on this month.
The Ibrox facet first began to show interest in Olaru a few years in the past, even going so far as sending scouts to watch his performances when Beale was in cost.
No transfer ever materialised then, however might 2025 be totally different? £3.3m would possibly sound lavish contemplating the present monetary points because the membership, but when a number of gamers are bought, then a transfer for the FCSB star needs to be a precedence.
Darius Olaru’s season in numbers
The 25-cap Romanian worldwide has been in glorious kind for his membership facet this season. Throughout 30 appearances in all competitions, he has scored 15 targets whereas registering seven assists.
Domestically, the attacking midfielder has been on hearth. He has created six big chances, averaging three key passes per sport together with averaging 3.3 photographs per sport, proving that he’s a serious attacking menace.
He has even shone within the Europa League, registering three purpose contributions in simply 4 matches, though he did miss the conflict towards Rangers resulting from suspension.
Bringing in a participant of his skill will surely increase the membership, and it might even be useful for Hamza Igamane, who might work effectively enjoying forward of Olaru.
Olaru may very well be a dream signing for Hamza Igamane
Igamane has been glorious since making his debut for the Mild Blues at the beginning of September. He has scored eight occasions for the Mild Blues in that point and has even attracted the interest of Everton too.
Having somebody of Olaru’s stature enjoying simply behind him and creating probability after probability will surely permit the Moroccan striker to attain extra commonly.
When in comparison with positional friends within the Europa League this season, Olaru ranks in the top 10% for key passes per 90 (2.85) and within the prime 19% for crosses per 90 (4.56), indicating that his teammates profit from his artistic skills within the last third.
Scottish content material creator Kai Watson lavished praise on the midfielder in November 2024, saying:
“No concept the place we might be getting the cash from however he’d be an unimaginable signing. An aggressive presser that’s additionally press resistant, can create probabilities and rating targets.”
It will be cash effectively spent ought to Rangers make a concrete transfer to deliver the Romanian to Ibrox and, after the success of his compatriot Hagi, Olaru might have an analogous impression on the membership.
A lot will rely upon different elements, but when Clement has the cash accessible, then signing the FCSB sensation might enhance additional throughout his time in Scotland.
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