It may have seemed like he had also secured a spot on the plane to Germany when the £3 million player from Rangers scored the goal that qualified his country for the European Championships this summer.
If such is the case, then Edi Iordanescu’s remarks this week as the head coach of his national team should raise “alarm bells” for a player who has only started six league games this season and who could still be valuable to the club both in terms of starting lineup and overall.
When Ianis Hagi left Rangers for a loan at Deportivo Alaves in the hopes of getting more regular playing time in Spain, this is most definitely not the scenario he had in mind.
Speaking to Antena Sport, a worried Iordanescu admits, “It’s a challenge for me.” “This is a warning sign for us all!”
A Rangers loanee’s spot at Euro 2024 is in danger.
Only four of Romania’s previous eight games have seen Iordanescu start Hagi in the starting lineup, despite the fact that the son of national hero Gheorghe Hagi did put on a scorching performance against Israel that guaranteed his nation’s qualification back in November.
However, the former Genk playmaker may be undercooked going into a tournament where the skill of a few key players might mean the difference between an early exit and a run to the knockout stages. This is due to a lack of action at the club level.
Horatiu Moldovan, Romania’s first-choice goalkeeper, is also in danger because he hasn’t played a minute since joining Atletico Madrid of Spain in January.
With only three months until Euro 2024, Iordanescu continues, “(Hagi and Morutan) have to make efforts to assert themselves.” “They have a challenge to give it their all in the few days before the competition so they can try to force their way in and play as many minutes as they can.
It’s early to discuss a final squad at this point. At the end, we’ll draw the line and choose the course of action that makes the most sense. I can only think with my mind; I cannot think with my soul.
“We must have twenty-three players. We need to have the most coverage possible for the championship match.
Hagi and Moldovan both undoubtedly have a place locked down in Iordanescu’s final 23-man roster. However, even though he secured Romania’s spot in the European Championships, that won’t mean much come summertime if he shows up in Germany half-fit and as sharp as a blunt butterknife.
