IT doesn’t feel all that long ago that Rangers, having stumbled through an unforgiving August, were goalless with Livingston in the League Cup and severely lacking any number of footballing superlatives.
Spark, creativity, guile – all were absent until Ianis Hagi arrived at the break and disguised a cute reverse through the heart of a deep-lying opponent. It was the 23-year-old at his best - deceptively inventive.
The moment encapsulated the noise that had surrounded much of the previous month. Former manager Steven Gerrard had often hailed Hagi’s professionalism but was clearly increasing expectation following a very promising full debut season in Glasgow.
Speaking after a win over Alashkert, Gerrard said of Hagi: “He seems to be getting stronger and I expect him to have a really strong season if he can stay healthy.”
That output, for a multitude of reasons, hasn’t quite come to pass. And has only been further perpetuated by Hagi's right-wing role under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Some fans believe it’s time for the club to cut their losses – with the player’s 2024-expiring contract a good negotiating base. Despite this, recent comments from father his Gheorghe claim a new deal could be forthcoming for a player who is happy in Glasgow.
READ MORE: Does Ianis Hagi fit in at Rangers under Giovanni van Bronckhorst?
On the surface, Hagi’s numbers underwhelm this season, League Cup aside. A solitary goal and no assists to date domestically. One of each in Europe.
Given his 17 scoring contributions in last season’s invincible league campaign – underperformance is an understatement.
Assists aren’t always the best barometer with which to judge creativity. A player could hypothetically create three high-value chances for his side that are passed up, while another teammate plays a square pass to the scorer of a long-range effort to earn an assist. Who in that instance is the better creator?
Expected assists (xA), therefore, is a more complete measure. It attributes the value of the likelihood that said pass will translate into an assist based on the shot's xG value.
Last season, Hagi topped the xA chart at Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. With an output of 0.27 per 90. The third-highest total in the league.
This season that creative output has nearly halved – coming in at 0.14 per 90.
A perusal of his StatsBomb radar further outlines a statistical underperformance compared to last season.
READ MORE: £16m Nathan Patterson transfer puts a marker down as Rangers player trading model kicks into gear
Turnovers and touches in the box aside, he is underperforming across the board.
So is a new deal merited?
First, the obvious. The circumstances of Hagi’s season have not been ideal. Having started brightly on the opening day, he was forced off through injury. A positive Covid-19 test while away with his country followed and although he has featured heavily since the managerial change, the Romanian has sparingly been used in his favoured position. Often playing from a wide starting position instead of a free central role.
Despite this, his attitude is unquestionable. Speaking recently about Van Bronckhorst's arrival, Hagi said: “The way he thinks about football - I love it. I just really enjoy it. I’m not taking everything for granted. Every second I’m trying to learn and being open to playing new positions.”
To sell now seems unrealistic given Nathan Patterson's departure. To extend is to protect. Last season displayed the consistent output Hagi can provide - with a matchwinning goal or two added in for good measure.
True, the early servings of the changing tactical blueprint at Ibrox doesn't offer a clear berth for Hagi to thrive within. Joe Aribo is in that spot and not budging. Perhaps this winter break will bring more cohesion in certain areas, of which Hagi could very well benefit.
All involved in football have short memories. How could that not be with so many games per season and such regular writings of the narrative? But Hagi has not lost the traits that brought a spark against Livingston and on so many other occasions. An extension is sensible and based on his Rangers contributions to date, deserved.
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