Ianis Hagi reacts on Instagram after being forced off injured v Livingston
Rangers kicked off the 2021-22 Scottish Premiership season with a clash against Livingston on Saturday at Ibrox, winning 3-0.
The Gers title defence got off to a perfect start as Ianis Hagi fired the hosts into the lead eight minutes into the clash after a fine assist from James Tavernier.
However, the Romanian international went off injured 23 minutes later, with Scott Wright taking his place.
Hagi had gone down near the sideline just five minutes after scoring, and it appeared he was going to shake it off after getting up a couple of minutes later.
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard told Sky Sports after the match when asked about the winger’s potential availability for Tuesday game: “Potentially missing, but we’ve got good physios here, good doctors, so hopefully they can pull the rabbit out of the hat and get him ready for Tuesday because he’s going to be important for us.”
Hagi himself took to his personal Instagram account to react to the game, and he completely ignored his injury.
The 22-year-old wrote: “Fans. Home. Matchless. That’s it, that’s my caption”
Big blow
Rangers face Malmo in the first-leg of the third qualifying round on Tuesday (August 3), and really need such a talisman for the tough task.
The winger ended last season with six goals and nine assists in 28 Premiership games, scoring once and assisting once in six Europa League games.
Having hit the ground running in the new campaign, Hagi would have been raring to go against the Swedes, and we can only hope a miracle really happens concerning his fitness.
With Kemar Roofe – the third goalscorer yesterday – suspended and Alfredo Morelos still in quarantine, we would have to rely on Fashion Sakala, Scott Wright and Ryan Kent to deliver.
Rangers need to play in the group stages of the Champions League this season for so many reasons, and we have to successfully navigate the tricky qualifying rounds.
Despite Hagi potentially missing the first-leg against Malmo, the players’ are in high spirits heading into the clash after demolishing Livi.
With Celtic failing at the first hurdle and hoping Rangers follow suit, Gerrard and his men know they cannot afford to fail, and all eyes will be on them over both legs as they look to book a place in the play-offs.
In other Rangers news, player wants Ibrox return in future after 2020 exit, insists he is good enough.