Gică Hagi (59 years old), the manager of Farul, praised his son, Ianis, 26 years old, for the performance of the Romanian national team in the victory over Cyprus (score 4-1).
Ianis Hagi, image from Euro PHOTO Adevărul
Integralist in the last tricolor team in the League of Nations, Ianis Hagi, registered at Glasgow Rangers, was among the notables. However, the selector Mircea Lucescu advised him to play as a starter somewhere, and offers from France, from Strasbourg, appeared on the horizon.
“Ianis is on his way, with good and bad. He showed that he knows how to fight even in less good times. He is a fighter, he loves this job and I hope he plays as much as possible in the club team, to find his moment, place and coach, the club that loves him and that will let him play. From my point of view, he is a very valuable player, who has shown in Romania and abroad that he is very good. It is only a matter of choice and moment.
All of us who have played football have gone through hard times. The important thing is to cope, and he showed in the last game at home that he is very good, even if he played less in the club team. Even though he had that situation, he proved that he has value. When given the opportunity, he delivered. He was born to play football, not to sit!”, declared the “King”.
“Put it where it belongs”
The manager of Farul praised the evolution of Ianis and believes that the fans appreciate him for his attitude and achievements in the national team shirt.
“He likes pressure, the more the better for him because he takes it. He played and coped with the pace and intensity of a game at national team level. I’m proud of him! I think he convinced 90 percent of those in Romania, because I saw how the stadium behaved, every time I saw it. The best answer is the fans, who love him. He always played very well for Romania, even in the European Championship, even if he didn’t get minutes.
A player who doesn’t really play for the club team, to do it in his own way, shows that he is dedicated to football 24/7, is professional and knows football. Put him where he needs to be, give him where he needs to be, and he will give to you. I have no doubt. I showed you at 16-17, when I made him captain because he deserved it.
“He has a very good CV”
I know what capacity it has. The first time is mental, and football is of a very high level. Maybe I was subjective the first and second day, not now, 10 years later. And don’t forget that injury! By then he was the best youngster in Glasgow when he won the Championship.
I think he is the only player from the Romanian national team who won the championship abroad and came out the best player. So are there any questions? If he was 21, can’t he be 24? Unless something breaks off the pitch. But outside the field he is the best, because he is dedicated”, explained Gică Hagi.
“It’s simple: he needs a team and a coach who will give Caesar what is Caesar’s, that is, the right position. He is in the top three decisive players of the national team, that’s what I read. He, in recent years, with Man, and now with Marin and Stanciu, have a decisive contribution. And mind you, Ianis played half the minutes or less. If he played more, maybe he would be higher.
And one more thing: he is the player who has qualified for the U16, U18, U21 and senior teams at all European Championships. He has a very good resume. He is ready for battle and he has it in his head to show again that he is the best”, concluded the manager of Farul.
