Romania call on Ianis Hagi for their crucial U21 qualifier

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Romania have made an interesting decision on Ianis Hagi ahead of the international break. They’ll call on the player for a crucial U21 qualifier.

Romania have dropped Ianis Hagi down to their Under 21 team for the next set of internationals, per the Herald. Usually, that would be a poor reflection on the player but this is actually a big compliment.

The U21 side face a decisive fixture in their Euro Qualifying campaign. They’ll play group leaders Denmark, who have qualified already, in the clash.

Romania cannot catch the Danes at the top of the group but they will hope to qualify as one of the best second-place teams. The best five will head to the tournament, with the remaining four missing out.

Romania are currently fourth but things are incredibly tight. Only three points separate eighth and second, with some teams having two games left. Portugal, in sixth, have three.

Things could swing in an instant, then. Romania effectively need to win to have the best chance of making it, so it’s no surprise that they’ve ‘demoted’ Hagi.

The 22-year-old has played 14 times for the senior side, including four caps in 2020, but they need his talents elsewhere.

Hagi has been a creative force this season, with six assists already in the Scottish Premiership. In fact, he’s set up six goals in his last five appearances in the league.

It’s no wonder, then, that Romania want the player with the U21 team for this game. He really could prove the difference between qualification and failure.