Ibrox Exclusive: Big update on Hagi return to Rangers

Rangers have not shut the door on attacking midfielder Ianis Hagi returning to the club and becoming a key player under new boss Philippe Clement, sources have told Football Insider.

Ex-Gers manager Michael Beale wanted Hagi, 25, out and got his wish when he was loaned to La Liga outfit Deportivo Alaves for the season in the summer window.

But Clement has since taken the reins at Ibrox and wants to assess the attacking midfielder when his temporary move to Spain ends.

He believes Hagi could still have a big future under his command at Rangers.

The Romania international has turned out 10 times for Alaves this season, notching two goals and one assist.

Hagi, who is the son of footballing icon Gheorghe, made just 11 appearances across all competitions for Rangers in the 2022-23 campaign – scoring once.

His lack of action came as a result of the devastating knee cruciate ligament injury in January 2022 which sidelined the attacking midfielder for around 18 months.

Despite that injury, Hagi penned a fresh contract at Ibrox in December 2022, keeping him at the club until June 2026.

He has made a total of 99 appearances for Rangers since joining in 2020, notching 16 goals and 21 assists.

The midfielder cost a reported fee of just £3million when he joined the Gers from Belgian side Genk.

Hagi’s most memorable spell time in Scotland came in the 2020-21 campaign when he managed eight goals and 15 assists in 45 outings as Rangers lifted the Scottish Premiership.

He returned to the Romania setup in June and has been a key man in securing qualification for next year’s European Championships in German

The 25-year-old has earned 30 caps for his country, notching four goals and four assists.

Rangers sit second in the Scottish Premiership in Hagi’s absence, eight points adrift of Celtic with a game in hand.