Why Ianis Hagi has found life at Rangers more challenging than expected

Like any footballer as technically-gifted as he is, Ianis Hagi can make the game look ridiculously simple at times.

Ianis Hagi has proved increasingly influential for Rangers in a season which has seen him contribute five goals and 11 assists so far. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

But the Rangers playmaker is the first to admit he has been surprised by just how difficult it has been for him to hit his stride in Scottish football.

Hagi scored his fifth goal of the season for Steven Gerrard’s side when they defeated St Johnstone 1-0 at Ibrox on Wednesday night in their relentlessly consistent pursuit of the Premiership title. The 22-year-old Romanian international has also contributed 11 assists in the campaign so far.

Despite those impressive numbers, however, Hagi has had to show patience in his quest for a regular place in Gerrard’s starting line-up.

Ianis Hagi scores for Rangers during their first visit of the season to Hamilton Accies last August. The Premiership leaders return on Sunday looking to extend their unbeaten league record. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

He feels he is now coming to terms with the demands placed on him in an environment which has proved much more testing than he had anticipated when he made his move from Belgian club Genk.

“Honestly, when you come here you expect the league not to be that challenging,” said Hagi. “But the way teams defend every single week against Rangers, it makes the game so tough.

“You have to find options, you have to create every single time. Honestly, the pressure which comes at the club is really big. It’s really tough to succeed at a club like Rangers. I feel I’ve done this so far and I can’t wait for the future in these colours.

“Scottish football challenges me a lot as a footballer. I have grown a lot since I came here and as a football player you have to adapt.

“I’m still adapting but I feel I’m in a good place right now. I understand the type of football that is played in Scotland.

“I am happy with my numbers up until now. I’ve already said that I am always looking to improve and find ways to get better. I am still at the beginning of my career. I want to get even better and finish the season stronger.

“I think everyone here understands what type of player I am and what I can give for the team.

“Since day one, actually even in the phone calls I had with Steven Gerrard and Ross Wilson before I came, they understood me as a player.

“If the relationship between manager, sporting director and player is a good one, you give your best. I’m giving my best for Rangers and I can still do better.

“As a manager, you have 20-plus different characters in the dressing room. You have to judge them and challenge them in different ways. The manager knows what to expect from me and I’m just trying to deliver every single time.

“Everybody at the club is there to help find solutions. I am the kind of guy that always likes to ask questions.

“Whenever I have a question I can go to my team-mates, the coaching staff or my family of course.

“They all help me in their own way. But it depends a lot on you as a person, how fast you want to adapt.

“I wanted to get integrated into my new environment and I felt I did that. I knew what kind of life it would be. I think I have done okay, the last couple of months have obviously been much better.”

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