David Edgar shares when Hagi could now play 1st Rangers game under Clement- report

Ianis Hagi is expected to be available for his first Rangers game under Philippe Clement in the weekend clash with St. Johnstone, according to David Edgar.

The Heart & Hand Podcast host reported via X on 1 October that the Romanian isn’t in the European squad, ruling him out of the Europa League visit of Lyon on 3 October, but could feature three days later.

The 25-year-old has returned to first-team training after an agreement was struck to end the stand-off that has seen him turning out for the B Team since returning from his loan at Alaves [Rangers Review, 1 October].

Hagi has never played for Clement, who had previously suggested there was no chance of him returning to the fold [Daily Mail, 31 August].

Edgar wrote: “Hagi not in Euro squad btw but should be good for Sunday.”

Rangers ace set for St. Johnstone return

With the likes of Oscar Cortes, Danilo and Rabbi Matondo all unavailable through injury Hagi might make it into the squad for the Scottish Premiership game at the weekend.

Vaclav Cerny has been off colour for a few games as well so the attacking areas could use a boost, despite the improved results.

It will be instructive of Clement’s personal view of Hagi whether he puts him on the bench straight away, after indicating that he wasn’t solely responsible for the international midfielder being in the B Team when asked on 13 September.

An immediate return to the match-day squad might suggest the manager had always seen the merits of a player who impressed at Euro 2024 but was obliged to toe the company line, and would raise questions over why it took so long so resolve the situation.

Few will be kidding themselves that Hagi is going to take the Scottish top flight by complete storm when he comes back but he has proven in the past that he has the ability, and arguably more than some who have been getting regular run outs.

Tom Lawrence’s recent goalscoring form means Clement is sure to stick with the Welshman as the number 10, and new man Nedim Bajrami has rebounded from a disappointing debut to impress, but the third attacking spot could be a target for Hagi to work his way back into the line up.

In other Rangers news, “surprising” developments live on Sky Sports appear to have seen a star player drop further down the pecking order.

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