Anghel Iordanescu has blasted Rangers loanee Ianis Hagi live on air after he has failed to nail down a place in the Alaves starting lineup this season.
Speaking on the Fanatik Superliga YouTube channel on Tuesday (5 December, via the Daily Record), the former Romania boss said his compatriot should "stay at home" ahead of next summer's Euro 2024 if he doesn't force his way into the La Liga club's lineup during his season-long loan.
He added that the 25-year-old winger must "prove his value" by playing more minutes this season to show that he should be included in the Romanian squad for the tournament.
"Ianis Hagi should stay at home if he doesn't play for Alaves," said Iordanescu.
"The player must prove his value, not a patron or manager declare his value, that he must be in the national team.
"Host Horia Ivanovici then replied: "So you have some very clear values.
There is no way you can play at the Euros if you are a reserve in the club team, regardless of whether your name is Florinel or Ianis Hagi?""Stay at home," insisted Iordanescu.
"I would allow myself, but I no longer say that I am in conflict with the selector.
Don't make the mistake I made Euro to Euro.
Ask him.
A capital.
Don't ask me, I don't answer.
"Ivanovici replied: "You took players who weren't playing.
Well, Ianis Hagi, let's say he's a reserve.
Don't you call him to the Euros?"Iordanescu stuck to his original point, as he said: "Stay home.
You can't play, let's get this straight.
Our football suffers from a physical point of view, from a commitment point of view, our football also suffers from the rhythm of the game.
"By the speed of the game, if we are a nation that does not really like the commitment and aggressiveness, the determination of the opponent, then how can you face a European Championship if you are not in rhythm, prepared, you do not have games on your feet?"This was a pretty fiery debate surrounding Hagi's current situation with Romania after he's struggled for minutes in the Alaves side over the past few weeks.
He has made just five starts in his 12 appearances for the Spanish club, with his only two goals coming in the 10-0 Copa Del Rey victory over Deportivo Murcia in November.
The Romanian pushed for a move away from Rangers during the summer transfer window after failing out of favour at Ibrox under previous boss Michael Beale.
But despite his lack of game time recently, the winger is still likely to make the Romania squad after he has been capped by his country 31 times and featured heavily in the latest round of international matches.
Iordanescu does have a point that only players that are playing regularly should be included, though, so Hagi will be keen to increase his minutes as the season progresses.
In other Rangers news, a journalist has detailed the Gers' plans for the January transfer window.
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