The ‘Hagi zone’ and why Rangers can add different dimension by moving Ianis into midfield - Craig Vickers

That midfield shortage last term precipitated the deployment of Ianis Hagi, a fixture in the forward line under Gerrard last season, deeper as a No.8 for post-split encounters with Livingston and Aberdeen.

Predominantly, the Romanian had operated as the right-sided No.10, occasionally moving inside to play as a more pure No.10 when Gerrard opted to play 4-2-3-1. A consistent creative presence, only two players ended with a higher xG Assisted total than the 22-year-old.

The bolstering of the midfield coupled with the lack of departures in the summer likely suggests that there will be fewer opportunities for Hagi to play that role this term. However, his performances in pre-season as a No.8 offers Gerrard another dimension in domestic games where he can afford to take the shackles off his midfield. Hagi’s two-footedness makes him suited to a multitude of roles across the pitch. His ability to receive the ball comfortably on either side typically opens up the pitch, and his tendency to occupy the inside channel as one of Gerrard’s twin No.10s means he is nominally facing infield with the ball.

Given his comfort with both feet, an upside to Hagi playing as a No.8 would be his ability to spread play and quickly change the angle of attack for Rangers with one action. It is an attribute which Rangers lack among their current midfield options, where there is a greater emphasis on ground circulation to shift defences laterally. Ironically, it is a skill that Rangers have become increasingly hostage to in European competition.

This is evidenced in the example below from trophy day win over Aberdeen. When Hagi squares up his marker on the right flank, it is apparent Aberdeen have shifted sufficient defensive numbers across to nullify the danger from Rangers, effectively creating a 4v3 in their favour.

As Aberdeen have narrowed inside, Hagi spots Joe Aribo in space on the opposite flank.

Given his strength off both feet, he shifts the ball onto his left and sprays a cross-field pass out to Aribo.

As a result, Rangers are able to ‘skip’ passes and create isolation opportunities on the flanks, as Hagi’s ability to quickly launch switches of play would be able to keep players on the far side of the attacking move involved.

Operating as a No.8, these opportunities would be greater for Hagi considering he would have separation from the more congested areas of the forward line. A primary function of the No.8s under Gerrard has been to help create overloads in the wide areas and Hagi’s ability to receive in limited space and change the route of attack would add another dimension to Rangers’ attack.

Greater attacking impetus

Perhaps the biggest benefit to dropping Hagi into the midfield three, would be the knock-on effect of allowing Gerrard to fit Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos into the same forward line. Both were considerably Rangers’ biggest xG threats last season and it’s little surprise Gerrard’s side carry a more meaningful goal threat when the pair are on the pitch together.

Given Hagi’s penchant for shooting, removing him from the forward line where Gerrard places significant responsibility for goalscoring would alleviate the impact of his low shooting percentage.

The Romanian’s shot map from 2020/21 illustrates his fondness for pulling the trigger from range, in which the vast majority of his efforts from outside of the penalty area do not trouble the opposition’s goalkeeper.

This is also evidenced in the scattergraph below, which highlights Hagi’s low shots on target percentage in the context of the Scottish Premiership lasts season.

Roofe and Morelos are positioned in the sweet spot for forwards in a ball-dominant side. Naturally, then, there would be greater scope for Hagi’s low probability shooting with two clinical strikers on the pitch simultaneously.

Maximising penalty box intelligence

Delve deeper into Hagi’s shot map from last term, however, and it’s apparent that there is a zone in which his goals tend to come from: predominantly centrally, slightly right of centre, and in the vicinity of the penalty spot.

Coupled with his strength on his left side, this can be attributed to his nominal position as a right-sided No.10 under Gerrard. However, maximising the Romanian’s strength infront of goal is another potential benefit to his deployment deeper as a No.8.

The timing of Hagi’s movement into goalscoring positions is particularly noteworthy. In the example below from his goal against Hibernian last season, the 22-year-old’s anticipation stands out.

Firstly, many attackers would gravitate infield towards the ball as their side builds play down the opposite side. Hagi, however, intelligently holds his position to create separation between his marker, Paul Hanlon, and his defensive partner, Ryan Porteous, effectively opening up space in an optimum position in the penalty area.

Hagi times his run expertly as Roofe cuts onto his left foot when it becomes apparent his only option is to flash the ball across the penalty area.

By timing his run perfectly he is able to get across Hanlon and sweep the ball home with his left foot.

Although removing Hagi from the forward line may reduce his proficiency in the penalty area, it may serve to make him harder to mark by arriving late in the penalty area for cut-backs from either flank.

During his outing as a No.8 away to Livingston at the end of last season the Romanian got on the scoresheet from exactly that, running from deep to steer Cedric Itten’s cut-back into the net from inside the ‘Hagi zone’.

Versatility

What was also evident that evening at the Tony Macaroni Arena last season was the superiority in the forward line which Hagi can help provide as a midfielder.

The example below is from the first half move in which Hagi drew contact from Livingston goalkeeper Max Stryjek after being sent through to win a penalty.

Given Ryan Kent has a tendency to drop off the front line to receive the ball and square up the opposition’s defensive lines, Hagi is therefore granted the license to move into the forward line, often dropping between the lines, to help link play and prise open defences.

Rangers are then able to retain their defensive structure in the event of a turnover of possession, while also benefitting from Hagi’s ability in tight areas.

As Kamara plays a direct pass into the Roofe, the forward intelligently flicks the ball through to Hagi who makes a sharp movement to create a one-on-one opportunity.

With Hagi as an No.8 behind Roofe and Morelos, Rangers will naturally morph into a 4-4-2. Hagi drifts inside with Tavernier tasked with providing the width on the right hand side. As illustrated below, this allows Hagi to move infield and receive in areas where he can be at his most effective.

Defensive qualities

Hagi’s athleticism and anticipation – the qualities which underline his attacking displays – also allow him to be defensively sound to help sustain Rangers’ proactivity without the ball.

As evidenced in Rangers’ pre-season victory over Real Madrid in which Hagi featured as a No.8, Hagi is able to defend aggressively and force turnovers.

As Rangers retreat into a man-orientated defensive block with the Real Madrid goalkeeper left on the ball, Hagi goads the goalkeeper into flighting a pass out to the right-back.

Anticipating the opportunity, Hagi moves quickly across to intercept and spring Kent forward in the same move.

Summary

Finding solutions within the squad has been key for Gerrard amid the evolution of his Rangers side.

Although Gerrard typically opts for more conventional options in midfield, Hagi as an No.8 allows for the inclusion of Roofe and Morelos in the forward line.

His capacity as a No.8 will add a different dimension to the Rangers midfield, with his strength off both sides, ability to receive in advanced areas and his goal threat arriving from deeper.

In a squad blessed with different combinations - fitness permitting - Hagi’s qualities as a No.8 can be of huge benefit to both Rangers and his career progression.