Ianis Hagi reveals inside info as Rangers look forward to Slavia Prague test

Ianis Hagi believes he already has the inside track on Rangers’ Europa League last 16 rivals Slavia Prague thanks to his international team-mate Nicolae Stanciu.

Slavia Prague winger Nicolae Stanciu, a Romanian international team-mate of Rangers' Ianis Hagi, in action during the Czech champions' Europa League win at Leicester City. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Romanian winger Stanciu is a key member of the Slavia side which beat Leicester City last week to set up this month’s tie with Rangers

Rangers forward Hagi, who has become a good friend of Stanciu since breaking into the senior Romanian squad, feels he knows what to expect from the Czech champions.

“I know Nicolae really well and I have played with him for the last two years with the national team,” said Hagi.

“Before the last couple of months, we were always talking about his team at Slavia and what kind of team they are. So I kind of know what to expect.

“But the coaching staff at Rangers does a really good job of preparing the game for us as a group in the Europa League. We will be ready to go for it.

“For sure, Nicolae playing for Slavia definitely gives the tie an extra edge for me. It will be a nice match up but unfortunately we again won’t have fans home or away. That has been a miss in Europe this year, being without the fans, but it is what it is. It will be nice to go up against Nicolae and obviously try to qualify for the next round.”

Rangers are scheduled to play the first leg of the tie in Prague on March 11 with the return fixture at Ibrox seven days later.

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