Rangers: Ianis Hagi hits back amid ‘long-term’ injury talk
Ianis Hagi has not been seen in a Rangers shirt since January but he insists that he is still on the right course to recovering.
The Romanian international suffered an agonising anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Scottish Cup against Stirling Albion last season and has been out of action ever since.
A lot of speculation over what his future holds in terms of playing for Rangers again has been said but he has moved to quash any further talk.
“I’m fine, I’ve seen a lot of talk in these almost 9 months,” Hagi said to Gazeta Sporturilor. “Many gave their opinion where it was not known. My injury was very clear from the first episode of the documentary I posted.
“It is an injury with a recovery period of 9-12 months. There was no problem coming back earlier. There was a lot of talk, but there was no point.
“I’m fine, it’s not been 9 months since the operation. I’m on the right track. It’s a long-term operation, there are also moments when you stagnate, it’s part of the recovery. You have to accept it.
“It’s more of a mental injury than a physical one, but I’m very good mentally, happy. I feel strong. It won’t be long before I recover. Everything is fine, stop listening left and right.”
Missing ingredient
As Rangers and Giovanni van Bronckhorst struggle to find their typical flow so far this season, it is difficult to imagine that Hagi playing would not improve things.
Particularly in midfield where the Romanian’s creativity and freedom would open a lot of doors, the entire squad could just do with a big lift from within such as his return.
van Bronckhorst has effectively built a squad while disregarding Hagi over the summer having signed two attacking midfielders in Tom Lawrence and Malik Tillman.
Add to that duo the likes of John Lundstram, Ryan Jack, Scott Arfield and Steven Davis then there is suddenly very little room for the 23-year-old to force his way into the Dutchman’s plans.
All of those potential roadblocks could spell the end of Hagi’s time at Rangers with this injury still causing him problems and the manager can’t afford to wait forever for him to return after already spending nine months out.
In other Rangers news, Barry Ferguson is completely in the dark over this Ibrox ace who has been starved of football so far this season.