Ianis Hagi sparks Romanian inquisition as Rangers star causes big 'problem' for national team

Ianis Hagi has caused a media stooshie in his homeland as he faces being sensationally cut from the Romania squad for Euro 2024.

Rangers loanee Hagi has recently lost his starting spot with the La Liga side and his agent recently expressed doubt that he will go to the Euros unless something changes between now and the end of the season. Hagi has been capped 30 times by his country and, partly due to being the son of Romanian legend Gheorghe, he holds a special place as far as punters are concerned.

The media in his homeland fawned over his situation during his time at Rangers and his move to Spain, where he is looking for regular gametime after 18 months of injury torture at Ibrox, was heavily covered. And it seems that's no different now as pundits in Romania butt heads over whether he should go to the Euros.

Former player Ionut Lupescu told Digisport that Hagi not going to the Euros wouldn't be a problem, provided boss Edward Iordanescu explains his decision clearly and transparently. Harking back to the 1994 World Cup, when Romania reached the quarter-finals, he said: “I wouldn’t see Ianis’ absence from the Euro as a problem as long as (Romania boss) Edi Iordanescu sets and announces clear criteria for the final squad.

"Remember how surprised the public was for the absence of Marius Lacatus and Ioan Sabau from the team for the World Cup in America! But when the matches start, the world forgets and focuses on the emotion of the matches. The important thing is to win.”

His former teammate Florin Raducioiu didn't share the view that it isn't a problem. He reckons Hagi has enough credit in the bank to be picked regardless, even though he hasn't started a league game since December.

He said:"It is a problem that we will