Romanian diplomats may have handed Rangers a huge boost after jetting stranded star Ianis Hagi out of North Macedonia.
The Romania attacker tested positive for Covid-19 while on international duty in Skopje and was facing an arduous 20-day isolation period.
However, a scrambling Romanian FA appear to have given the Light Blues a lifeline ahead of Lyon's Europa League visit to Ibrox next week as they got Hagi back to his homeland, thus potentially reducing his quarantine period.
If that comes to pass, the 22-year-old would be in contention for Steven Gerrard's men next Thursday.
Revealing how they used diplomatic channels to get Hagi back home and in Rangers' plans, Romanian FA technical director Mihai Stoichita said: "First of all, a man's health was our priority above all else.
"So we arranged a plane for Ianis to fly home on.
"This only happened because of the direct request of our football federation and the kindness and helpfulness of the Macedonian officials.
"And all of this was because of the providential intervention of the Romanian Embassy in North Macedonia.
"He was immediately taken and isolated after landing at the airport. He had no serious symptoms, we were glad to report.
"Also, when it comes to vaccination, everyone has a choice. Our federation cannot force a player to be vaccinated or not."
