Ianis Hagi has now kicked his final ball for Rangers as ‘genuine sadness’ revealed
Ianis Hagi suffered an injury as Rangers drew 1-1 with bitter rivals Celtic at Ibrox on 4 May.
The Romania international was introduced to the action as a second-half substitute, but had to be hooked from the action after featuring for just 17 minutes.
Rangers have enjoyed the 26-year-old’s services over the years, not least in 2020/21 when his return of seven goals and 11 assists in 33 Scottish Premiership outings helped the Bears win the title under Steven Gerrard.
The playmaker has notched four goals and five assists in 24 top-flight outings this season, but he is out of contract this summer.
Barry Ferguson upset as Hagi’s Rangers career comes to an end
Interim boss Ferguson witnessed the best of Hagi when the 26-year-old scored a stunning late equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Aberdeen on 13 April.
| Ianis Hagi stats | Scottish Premiership 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 24 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 5 |
But writing in the Daily Record [10 May, pg 61], Scott McDermott said: “Hagi has kicked his last ball for Rangers. The Romanian playmaker, out of contract in the summer and set to move on, was injured in the Old Firm draw at Ibrox last week. There was genuine sadness in Ferguson’s voice when talking about Hagi, and he was sorry the 26-year-old won’t get a proper Ibrox farewell.”
After enjoying a successful Gers career, in which he has won a Scottish Premiership title and a Scottish Cup, the Romania international will be gutted that his stay in Glasgow has been cut short by injury.
Rangers will have to work hard to replace Hagi
The Gers are set for a summer of change as 49ers Enterprises continue to close in on their takeover of the Ibrox giants, and are still searching for the Light Blues’ next permanent manager.
Amid Rangers’ hunt for a new boss, Gerrard could return to the Bears dugout next season, and could prove to be a popular choice thanks to his previous exploits in Scotland.
But while the Ibrox club search for a new boss, Philippe Clement’s successor will have to work hard in the summer transfer window to source a capable Hagi replacement.
The attacking midfielder has not been at his best this term, but he has still shown his capabilities by notching nine goal contributions in 24 Scottish Premiership appearances.
Since moving to Ibrox in 2020, Hagi has proven himself as a class act, and Rangers will never forget the contributions he made towards their historic title success in 2021.