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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Ianis Hagi on Rangers culture shock as star reveals what he did to adapt to 'aggressive' Scottish football

Dedicated I anis Hagi has opened up on the extra hours put in at Rangers to adjust to football in Scotland.

At the start of the Premiership campaign, the 22-year-old struggled to hold down a regular starting spot in Steven Gerrard 's starting XI after making the move permanent switch to Ibrox from Genk.

However, the playmaker has been a vital part of the side as they sealed the title win and surged to the Europa League last 16.

The Romanian believes the influence of Gerrard, international youth boss Adrian Mutu and legendary footballer father Gheorghe Hagi have been key in his development in the last year.

Hagi also attributes the extra hours put in at Auchenhowie as key to his progression throughout the campaign.

In an interview with Romanian outlet FRF TV, Hagi said: "I have had good coaches.

"First dad [Gheorghe Hagi], then [Adrian] Mutu in his youth, now Steven Gerrard in Rangers.

"That's what I do at the club. I try to stay as long as possible after training to execute free kicks.

"I think I have reached a point where I am a very good executor of free kicks, but, certainly, there is a lot of work that I have to continue to do, to become perfect.

"Physically I am very well. The championship [in Scotland] being stronger, more aggressive, I had to adapt.

"Football must be played with the mind. I will not become a player who will put others aside, because my style is different. My role in the field is to create.

"As I always said, there is always room for improvement."

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