STEVEN GERRARD needs Ianis Hagi to provide the answers for Rangers. It was his questions that made a positive first impression on the Ibrox boss, though.
Hagi arrived in Glasgow to considerable fanfare and acclaim last week as the forward - the son of Real Madrid and Barcelona legend Gheorghe - clinched a loan deal from Belgian outfit Genk.
His debut off the bench against Aberdeen allowed him to show flashes of his talent and potential. His first start would see him quickly come to the fore for Rangers as he netted a late winner to see off Hibernian on Wednesday.
Hagi has quickly become the name on the lips of the Rangers support. That is no surprise to boss Gerrard.
"What helps him is that his English is extremely strong," he said. "He’s a bright kid.
"My first conversation with him was different from normal players. He was very keen to ask questions about how we played and where we saw him fitting in. He’s a real bright kid and since he’s come through the door he’s been in the analyst’s room a lot.
"He wants to really speed up his settling-in period and get used to opposition players and teams. He’s definitely a student of the game and we’ve been really impressed with him on and off the pitch.
"On the evidence so far, even in the cameo against Aberdeen, you can see him trying to probe. He plays with his head up.
"He’s not intimidated by the Ibrox factor. He’s someone you feel will be here for you, whatever the scoreline and whatever the challenge."
The upbringing and schooling that Hagi had in his formative years set him on the right path in the game but recent times have been testing for the 21-year-old. A summer move to Genk didn't bring the rewards he hoped for and the switch to Rangers gives him an opportunity to regroup and rebuild as he looks to play a key role for the Light Blues.
He is stronger than many would expect and quick across the ground, while his technical ability is clear to see as he passes and shoots equally as adeptly on both sides.
"That’s down to his upbringing – his dad has the Academy – and fair play to whoever has given him advice," Gerrard said as he described Hagi's feet as 'two cannons'.
"I’m not sure of it’s down to his dad or one of his coaches or whether he’s taken it upon himself but to have two feet as accurate and powerful as that you’d have to get on to that at a super young age.
"I remember practicing my left foot at the age of 4 or 5 and mine is nowhere near as accurate as his, so he must have been on to it at an even younger age. And he’s stuck at it. The biggest compliment is that people who watch him for the first time aren’t sure what side is his strongest.
"That’s why I’m saying that he’s comfortable right or left or deeper. He’s got a real nice passing range and he can make a difference in the final third. He’s an attacking talent."
It is at Viitorul Constanța - the club owned and managed by his father - where Hagi has enjoyed his most successful spells in the game to date. He spent two years with Fiorentina and wasn't able to kick on after joining Genk.
Hagi now has a manager that trusts him and a support that have quickly taken him to their hearts. And he has a platform - both in Scotland and Europe - to showcase his talents in the coming months.
Gerrard said: "Every player wants to be appreciated – I wouldn’t say loved – by your support, but definitely appreciated. You want the support to appreciate what you do and what you bring. That goes across the board.
"Does he want love or need love at this stage? That’s a personal question for him. I don’t know what his relationship has been like with previous coaches.
"I understand that it didn’t wok out at Genk for him but he’ll certainly get the support and care and attention from all the staff and myself to help him be a success here."
Hagi's winner on Wednesday night was a just reward for Rangers' efforts on the night.
For Gerrard, there were plenty of positives to take, both in the performance and the result at Ibrox.
"From the moment that we conceded against Hibs, I didn’t see players feeling sorry for themselves or shrinking out there." Gerrard said. "I think we got a perfect reaction. George has shown immense character from a personal point of view and got a very important goal for the team.
"Then at half-time, when I gave the players a few minutes, I could tell that they were desperate to go and push and put it right and I think the performance backed that up. It was our best 45 minutes since we returned."
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