David McCarthy opens the door for potential early Ianis Hagi return to Rangers in January
David McCarthy has mooted the possibility of Ianis Hagi returning to Rangers this January, admitting the decision to let him leave Ibrox was a “head-scratcher”.
The Romanian attacking midfielder left Ibrox on a season-long loan, joining Spanish side Deportivo Alaves in La Liga after falling down the pecking order in Glasgow following the mass summer overhaul of Michael Beale’s attacking options.
The main area requiring improvement in Philippe Clement’s squad this January remains a new number nine, but Daily Record journalist McCarthy has suggested that it could be “interesting” to see whether the Belgian looks to recall Hagi earlier than planned.
Writing in the Daily Record’s Monday Jury (27 November) he said: “He needs a goalscorer to convert more of the chances that are being created. It will be interesting to see if he tries to bring Ianis Hagi back from Spain.
“The decision to let him go on loan was a head-scratcher.”
Bring him home
When Hagi was bombed out of Ibrox by Beale this summer, it came as a surprise as the Romanian had seemingly only just returned to full fitness after a difficult spell of injuries, only to suddenly be sent away after impressing in his first appearance of the campaign.
Admittedly, that was in a Viaplay Cup clash with Greenock Morton rather than an Old Firm showdown with Celtic, but there was England in the attacking midfielder’s display to show supporters that he was more than capable of having a positive impact this season.
His start to life in Spain hasn’t been particularly glamorous, with the 25-year-old only registering a single assist in 10 La Liga appearances, but it was an international break to remember as Hagi scored the winner for Romania in their win over Isreal.
If he were to return to Ibrox this January, he is unlikely to solve Clement’s goal-scoring issue alone, as he has never exactly been the most prolific of forwards, but he would offer a new and different dimension to the Ranegrs attack that would be a welcome boost.
Much of Clement’s job in Glasgow so far has involved undoing the mistakes made by Beale over the summer and in the opening weeks of the campaign. Bringing Hagi back to Scotland in January could be the latest rescue act on his to-do list.
In other Rangers news, Derek Ferguson and James McFadden have told Clement to sign one striker immediately, suggesting they’re better than Cyriel Dessers