Adrian Mutu has backed Rangers’ Ianis Hagi to shine at Lazio should he join the Serie A side this summer.
Hagi is currently on loan at Ibrox from Genk after joining Steven Gerrard’s side in the January transfer window.
He’s proven to be a hit in Scotland thus far, bagging three goals and two assists in 12 games.
Rangers have an option to turn his move into a permanent one in the summer, and there’s some disagreement over whether they’ll use that.
However, the chances of him staying at the club beyond that point could be slim.
He’s been heavily linked with a move to Lazio, who are believed to view the 21-year-old as an ideal signing and will pursue his signature whether he stays with Rangers or returns to Genk.
And Mutu, who is the current boss of Romania’s U21 side, is undoubtedly in favour of him moving to Italy should it be an option.
“I like Ianis, and I think it’s not a problem of inconsistency,’ Pro Sport report him saying.
“At this age, it is normal to have ups and downs. I don’t think it’s normal for a coach to ask that from a 21-year-old player.
“I think Ianis is on the right track. It’s good that he left Belgium. In Scotland, he made good matches.
“I don’t know if this is true or not with Lazio, but Lazio is an important team, with an impressive team game, Inzaghi has done something incredible.
“It is their best season of the last 20 years, after winning that title. The bottom line is that Ianis can handle the pressure there.
“It’s hard wherever you go, but it’s important to let these young players grow properly, without pressure.”
