IANIS Hagi, who finally committed his long-term future to Rangers on Wednesday, has paid tribute to the Ibrox club for turning his career around and predicted “amazing things” will happen in the new season.
Hagi, the son of Romanian football great Gheorghe, moved to Glasgow from Belgian club Genk on loan back in January.
The gifted 21-year-old midfielder quickly endeared himself to supporters with important goals against Hibernian in the Ladbrokes Premiership and Braga in the Europa League last 32.
Rangers had the exclusive option to buy the player when he arrived in Scotland and this week secured his services for the next three years in a £3m deal.
Hagi, who previously played for Fiorentina in Italy and has won 10 caps for his national team, is delighted to have sorted out his future and is looking forward to the 2020/21 campaign.
He revealed that joining Rangers had helped to resurrect his career after a difficult spell in Belgium.
Speaking to Rangers TV, he said: “I didn’t end 2019 really good, so I wasn’t that happy coming into 2020, but having this experience with Rangers has just turned around really, really fast.
“I can say also, my career turned really fast in a positive way, so I have really enjoyed it a lot, especially the games we played in the Europa League – they were awesome – especially the comeback against Braga at home."
Hagi admitted he had enjoyed playing in front of Rangers fans and is looking forward to doing so again when coronavirus social distancing restrictions are eased.
"It is not just the support they give us, but also the pressure they put on us,” he said.
"Me personally, I just love it and it just gives me the adrenaline of just going day-in and day-out to train 100 per cent, come into the games 100 per cent and give everything I have on the field, so it has just taught me how you live for football.
“It is perfect. I just can’t wait to meet them again and just feel that heartbeat again when I score or when the team wins. I can’t wait for amazing things to happen this season.”
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