Barry Ferguson predicts Rangers U-turn for forgotten player after 'Strange' loan

Barry Ferguson says Rangers have a “major asset” in Ianis Hagi who can they reintegrate back into the squad, in his column in the Daily Record.

Former Gers skipper Ferguson [5 July] admitted he had forgotten about Hagi since he was shipped out on loan last season to Alaves, but has seen him perform impressively for Romania at Euro 2024.

He branded the move by Michael Beale at the time to send Hagi to Spain as “strange”, and despite many predicting the 25-year-old to leave Ibrox this summer, he backs the attacking midfielder to rekindle his career in Scotland.

“It wasn’t until the Euros began in Germany and I saw him representing his country that I remembered Ianis Hagi is still actually a Rangers player,” Ferguson said.

“Philippe Clement will have been watching every minute and the manager might have seen enough to think he could have a major asset back on his hands. I remember thinking the rush [under Beale] to push Hagi out of the door was a little strange.

“[Hagi] is not a young kid any more – he’s an experienced international footballer – and there is no question in my mind that he has something to offer.”

Ianis Hagi back in the Rangers fold?

In amongst all the experienced players Rangers have moved on from this summer and with some of those the club may expect to be sold, bringing Hagi back from the cold may be a shrewd move by Clement.

As Ferguson said, the Belgian will have been watching the Euros with a keen interest, and not just for the cameo appearances of Lawrence Shankland.

Hagi was the last remaining Scottish Premiership player – if only on paper right now – left at the tournament in Germany and certainly displayed flashes of his ability, starting Romania’s last two games.

Whether the player wants to attempt to reignite his career at a key point at Ibrox is uncertain, but his loan to Alaves was a frustrating one, with 22 appearances but only eight starts, fewer than 800 minutes’ La Liga football and returning to Scotland without a goal to his name and just two assists.

Hagi’s Rangers contract expires in 2026 and if the club want to recoup the best fee for him, he must be moved on this summer.

But if Clement sees something in the player to help steer the Light Blues to a successful campaign, clarity must be made now to give Hagi a thorough and meaningful pre-season towards match fitness.

In other Rangers news, a new Saudi club have been linked with James Tavernier.

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