'Be Really Careful' - Pundit reacts as Rangers spat could now put players off signing before deadline

Gheoghe Hagi’s criticism of Rangers and their handling of the situation with Ianis Hagi has the potential to scare off prospective new signings before the deadline, says Derek Ferguson.

The Romanian legend blasted the Light Blues over the “ugly” situation that has left his son frozen out of the first-team and playing for the reserves [The Herald, 27 August] with Philippe Clement insisting he has no plans for him [The Rangers Review, 5 August].

But Hagi junior wants to stay and turned down a move to Rapid Bucharest [Sky Sports, 26 August] and has since posted on Instagram (27 August) to clarify that he has never asked to leave and is ready and willing to contribute to the club.

Ferguson has advocated for the two sides to sit down and negotiate over the contract clause which appears to be at the heart of the issue [Daily Record, 13 August], and fears that the way the matter has been handled will put off potential new recruits in the final days of the window.

Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News he said: “Yep, and that’s why Rangers have got to be really careful with how they handle their business. 

“The thing is, the lad is a good player, he’s never been critical of the club, he’s never spat the dummy, he’s never threw the toys out the pram. I get that it’s his dad. Dads are protective of their sons, of course they are. My boy’s out playing with Bologna so I get that side of it.

“But could they not sit down, get round the table? I know if he plays another game, his 100th game, then the wages go up and there might be another signing on fee or whatever but can they put it back a little bit? Can they not him back into the side?

“It’s either that or Clement just doesnae rate him, or he’s not his type of player. But when you look at where Hagi plays and you look at [Tom] Lawrence who’s playing in that position at the moment, they’re pretty similar types of players.

“Lawrence is not blessed with great pace but he’s a clever football player and that’s what Hagi is.”

Rangers blasted by Gheorghe Hagi over B Team situation

The wisdom of giving Hagi the new contract in December 2022 with a wage-rise clause in it that the club are now trying to avoid has to be questioned.

Clement may be totally genuine in his claims that he doesn’t believe the Romanian international fits into his squad, or he may have seen that financially he is obliged to make that decision.

But whatever is the case behind closed doors it is a situation that is developing to make the club look increasingly unattractive for players who may be on the fence over committing to the project at Ibrox.

Gheorghe has now criticised the way things have been handled and Ianis has publicly stated the kind of will to fight for the cause that most fans and managers strive for, so if he is frozen out it won’t go down well.

And the 25-year-old stated in his post: “There is always a way around any situation if there is a will on both sides and that was communicated officially weeks ago by me and my team”.

So it sounds as if he would be willing to renegotiate the deal but Rangers have not taken up the offer.

In other Ranger news, the club have been wowed by a star international attacker and talks with his agents are now expected.

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