“He’s a big Rangers fan.”A playmaker who excelled at Euro 2024 might be the season’s Ibrox hero.

With no director of football in place at the time, the Rangers allowed Michael Beale carte blanche to assemble the team he desired this time last summer.

It turned out to be only one of many errors made by the board, which is now even more under pressure after a full year.

Although manager took over an uneven and unimpressive side, Philippe Clement will take heart from Ianis Hagi’s performance in front of a return to the Rangers.

The 25-year-old playmaker made an impact against Slovakia to assist his nation advance to the European Championship’s round of 16.

The past two years have been challenging after he had an ACL injury in January 2022.

Under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, he was a regular; but, after getting back into shape, Michael Beale shunned him.

Hagi was obviously unhappy about his lack of playing time throughout the preseason and during the start of the season:

“Every football player desires to be involved in games.

“Although the circumstances clearly frustrate me, I appreciate the gaffer’s choices. He is this club’s management, therefore that doesn’t mean I agree with them, but I do respect them.

“I’m just a regular guy who loves football,” I train nonstop every day. When I return from a one-year injury, they are aware of my identity and my past with this football team.

“I’ve gathered trophies and won at this football club individual.” I simply adore playing football. I have done that ever since I learned to walk as a child. I just enjoy playing football and being on the field. I am this person.

Strangely, Beale sent Hagi out on loan to Deportivo Alaves, acquired Sam Lammers, and moved Todd Cantwell despite being the finest player for Rangers the previous season as a number 10.

A choice that seemed more bizarre by the month.

Reputable Romanian journalist Emanual Rosu, who has written for the BBC, Four Four Two, The Guardian, and World Soccer, has now disclosed that Hagi’s Ibrox career may not be ended, speaking exclusively to Rangers News.

Hagi responded as follows when asked if he was already planning to move:

He didn’t leave because he wanted to; he really likes Rangers.

Never have I felt better. I believe I’m the only player on this squad who hasn’t missed a practice since the preseason began and I was aware that I needed one.

“I’ve been accessible for any situation. I am content with my physical state. I have good stats, some of which are higher than they were before the injury. Both physically and psychologically, I’m in great shape.

“He left last year because he was informed that he would not play too much under Beale.

He had also recently bounced back from an injury.

“I think no decision has been made about his future; there will be plenty of time following the Euros.”

Hagi has looked impressive in his three Romanian appearances in Germany.

Although he lacks the speed of Rabbi Matondo or Oscar Cortes, he more than makes up for it with his technical proficiency and game sense.

Clement needs those stats in the closing third. In his lone full season at Rangers, he recorded 23 goal contributions in 36 starts across all competitions.

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