Hagi shares Rangers return admission after what he read about Ibrox
Ianis Hagi left Rangers at the end of the season following the end of his contract.
The Romanian spent more than five years at the club, joining in 2020 from Belgian club Genk in a deal worth around £4million.
But the player ultimately decided to leave Ibrox on a free transfer this summer, with the club making no effort to sway his mind before the appointment of new head coach Russell Martin.
Hagi comments on reports
Hagi enjoyed a brilliant run of form after joining the club in 2020, scoring eight goals and finding 15 assists in all competitions as Rangers won the Scottish Premiership unbeaten, under the management of Steven Gerrard.
But the winger’s second season brought issues, with Hagi failing to find form in the first half of the season before he was ruled out for the remainder after undergoing knee surgery.
The injury would keep him out for the majority of the following season too, with Rangers confirming that the Romanian would be sent out on loan to Spanish club Deportivo Alaves for the following 2023/24 season.
Hagi returned last season and looked to find form in the months before his departure, scoring four goals and providing seven assists.
| Ianis Hagi | Rangers (2020-25) |
| Appearances | 130 |
| Goals | 20 |
| Assists | 28 |
And after leaving Ibrox, the 26-year-old has been linked to a shock return to Rangers already.
But the winger’s father, legendary footballer Gheorghe Hagi, has poured doubt on those rumours.
He said (Scottish Sun, page 52, July 16): “I read Ianis is returning to Rangers. That chapter in his career is closed. He did very well at Rangers.
“He is a Romanian player who succeeded at a very big club. There’s speculation because he’s a free agent. He will decide where he wants to go and even if we do consult and talk, the decision is 100 per cent his alone.”
Rangers will move on from Hagi
Rangers fans will be fond of the memories of Hagi’s time in Glasgow. The winger very much connected with the home faithful at Ibrox, and his contributions to the legendary 2020/21 season will not be forgotten in a hurry.
But ultimately, the Romanian could never replicate the heights of that first season, struggling with injuries and inconsistency in the years following.
With a new dawn under Martin approaching, it is time to move on from the cult hero of yesteryear.
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