After days of running down Celtic’s title success the Daily Record has turned to a clairvoyant for today’s Ibrox Good News story.
Peter van Tornhout has won more Scottish medals that James Tavernier and Alfredo Morelos combined with the assistant manager of Mechelen gazing into his crystal ball to give his verdict on Ianis Hagi.
Van Tornhout is a hero in parts of Ayrshire for scoring the winning goal in the 2012 League Cup Final against Celtic shortly after Duff & Phelps moved in to Ibrox.
It has been nine long years since a major trophy was won by a club from Ibrox but on the back of another 9-in-a-row from Celtic the former Killie striker has some comforting news for the Daily Record’s army of readers:
Hagi never nailed down a regular first team spot at the club (Genk), but Van Tornhout is backing him to make a name for himself, just as he did for Killie in the League Cup in 2012 when he became the last player to score a winning goal against Celtic in a Hampden final.
Van Tornhout said: “I became a hero for Kilmarnock and Hagi could do the same for Rangers because football is a game in which everything can change in a second.
“Can you imagine the final game of next season is an Old Firm derby at Parkhead, with Rangers and Celtic level on points at the top of the table, and Hagi scored a last-minute winner from a
free-kick?“He would become a legend forever at Rangers and why couldn’t it happen? Football provides the opportunity for every player in any team to become a hero. I believe Hagi will be a total success with Rangers.”
Hagi started six matches for Genk last season before being replaced by Eboue Kouassi during the January transfer window.
According to Transfermarkt the 21-year-old made 14 Pro League appearances for Genk last season totalling 578 minutes (41 minutes per game). In five Champions League appearances he totalled 140 minutes (28 minutes per game).