‘No way,’ says the national team manager, warning the £3 million player to leave Rangers or risk being dropped

If a Rangers player wants to secure a spot on the national team, he has previously been advised to think about moving to a different area.

Even though he held a great regard for Robby McCrorie, Scotland manager Steve Clarke acknowledged in November that the custodian would not have room on his roster until he had left Jack Butland’s shadow at Ibrox.

It’s possible that McCrorie was still thinking about Clarke’s remarks when he wrote at Kilmarnock during the ensuing summer window.

Ianis Hagi, on the other hand, is currently in a state of uncertainty.

It’s not getting any easier for a man who has had a terrible time since sustaining that career-ending knee injury two years ago—out of Philippe Clement’s plans and out of his squad with the similarly banished Todd Cantwell.

Ianis Hagi is someone the Rangers want to cut.

The Rangers would even be willing to void Hagi’s contract and allow him to depart for free, according to Tuttomercatoweb. Rumoured transfers to players like Fiorentina and Federico Benzucci have not materialised.

Rangers are quickly running out of time if they wanted to have any chance of securing a permanent deal and recovering some of their £3 million investment, as the window closes in less than a week.

However, staying at Ibrox would be disastrous for Hagi personally, particularly in terms of his chances of keeping his spot on the Romanian national team.

The former Genk standout is included in Romania’s preliminary team for their Nations League matches against Lithuania and Kosovo later this month. However, his position on the roster is precarious.

In just a few more months, he will fall further down the Tricolorii hierarchy by playing for the Rangers B team.

Mircea Lucescu, the highly experienced new head coach of Romania, says, via Fanatik, “There are players who want to change clubs and run down their contracts out of desire for the better, always after a tournament.”

No matter the moniker, summoning an unprepared player is difficult. No way (will I keep mentioning those).

Hagi made a brief appearance at Euro 2024 after struggling during a loan with Deportivo Alaves in La Liga, which caused him to lose his spot in the Romanian starting lineup.

Although Lucescu’s patience is limited, the former manager of Inter Milan, Galatasaray, and Shakhtar Donetsk expresses sympathy for Hagi’s predicament.

The 79-year-old tactician continues, “Only players who are present on the pitch will perform with the national team.”

“Big changes (this early in my tenure) cannot be made.” I’ll travel with the same group, but I’ll undoubtedly make adjustments along the way. There are issues.

At Ibrox, Philippe Clement sees no room for a £3 million man.

Hagi, who was born in Turkey, was noticeably absent once more on Saturday as Rangers defeated St Johnstone to advance to the Scottish League Cup quarterfinals.

When asked if Hagi would be involved in Clement’s plans for 2024–2025 via the Rangers’ official YouTube channel, Clement responded, “No,” a few weeks ago. “We had obviously discussed that with him and his representatives prior to the preseason.

“With the club, there are many things we need to consider. Regarding salaries, regarding the number of players that can be placed in a position given our budget, and obtaining funding for transfers.

It is abundantly evident that the idea is to make a sale. That was also his desire. Thus, that is the evident circumstance.

Bradaric’s purchase price is set, Cantwell is deteriorating, and Hagi has an ally in the Rangers transfer situation

Before the window closes, Philippe Clement hopes to make some moves in the market.

According to reports, Rangers has been informed of Salernitana’s request for Domagoj Bradaric to be allowed to leave the team, with the left-back being suggested for a loan switch.

After suffering an injury that could sideline the Turkish international for up to six weeks, Philippe Clement appears to have been sent back into the market, leaving Jefte as the only available option on the left side of the Light Blues’ defence. Rangers have reportedly “shown interest” in signing the 24-year-old on loan from Serie B, with the option to buy. However, Salernitana is reportedly pressing for a purchase obligation should the Croatian international fulfil performance-based incentives while at Govan.

After spending slightly more than £3.5 million to sign him from Lille in 2022, the Italian team reportedly wants the purchase option to be set at about £4.2 million, according to Croatian outlet Index. A deal might not be simple though, as the Scottish Premiership team wants to add players after offloading others.

Todd Cantwell is one of them; he was demoted to the B team after submitting a transfer request. Although Trabzonspor has been mentioned as a possible destination, no formal offer has been made by the Turkish side yet.

Additionally, pundit Rory Loy has accused the playmaker of “running away from a challenge” after he was left out of the first team plans. “One thing that baffled me when Clement came out and spoke about Cantwell, he said Todd Cantwell was honest with him and said he wanted a new challenge,” the irritated former Ibrox player said to BBC Sportsound.

“I am utterly incapable of comprehending that.” He’s come up here, taken home a trophy, watched Celtic dominate, and missed all the Old Firm games. Every single time, Callum McGregor overcomes him; he’s avoiding a challenge! Which kind of fresh challenge are you looking for? Furthermore, he must be available for selection and behave professionally if Clement wishes to keep him; otherwise, he may place him on the transfer list or in another position.

Rangers’ Todd Cantwell

“I know it’s difficult for a manager to pick a player who’s saying that, but Todd Cantwell has a contract, he’s obliged to give his all to Rangers, he’s got to go out there and he could earn a move with performances. He’s rotting away in the reserves, earning a wage, he’ll be in no rush to move if the right thing doesn’t come up because he’ll be on a healthy wage packet I’m sure.

“Philippe Clement’s hands are tied, he’s not picking him, not getting offers in, he’s got a player sitting there who could make the team better that’s saying he wants a new challenge, when he’s completely failed at his current challenge. The whole situation is baffling.”

Ianis Hagi has also been deemed surplus to requirements – but is set to remain in the international picture despite being out of the first-team plans. Following his performances at Euro 2024, Mircea Lucescu, the manager of Romania, plans to stick with the playmaker.

“Hagi is an extraordinary footballer, endowed with a special technique, with a very good understanding of the game,” the man said in an interview with Play Sport, elevating the forgotten man. Due to his involvement in the national team’s biggest victories, he made his mark on the team’s performance.”