Rangers star Ianis Hagi has reportedly been recalled to the Romania national team and could play his first international fixture for almost two years.
According to the Glasgow Times, the 24-year-old playmaker has finally been recalled to the Romania set up for their upcoming European Championship qualification matches against Kosovo (a) and Switzerland (a).
The news marks a major step in Ianis Hagi’s recovery, with the popular attacking midfielder missing for close to a year for Rangers following a cruciate ligament injury.
The agonising injury has disrupted a promising career for the son of legendary Romanian midfielder Gheorghe Hagi and now the player is focused on getting back to his best.
Returning to the Rangers fold towards the end of the season, Hagi scored his first goal for Rangers in 16 months in the 3-1 victory over Hibs.
Unable to hold back the emotion following the strike, we are sure there will be similar scenes if Hagi manages to find the net for Romania in the upcoming international fixtures.
Rangers star Ianis Hagi returns to Romania fold
Hagi hasn’t played for Romania since coming off the bench in a 2-0 win over Leichtenstein in November 2021, meaning these could be his first games for the country for 19 months.
But there was a moment during the last international break when it seemed Romania tensions were set to boil over when it came to the returning Hagi.
Only just back in the fold at Rangers, Romania manager Edward Iordănescu scorned Hagi senior when he left his son out of the last round of fixtures.
Speaking amid the fall-out, the Romania boss claimed that when Ianis is fit he’ll be back in the fold, and it appears he has stuck to his word.
“Romania’s qualification to the Euros goes beyond any name and person,” said Iordanescu.
“That’s why I too will ignore any attacks or pressurising during the qualifying campaign
“I have monitored many players for a long time ahead of this squad. Not only those in the national team, but those I have previously worked with at youth level.
“Of course, I would have liked to have no medical absences, but unfortunately there are footballers who are injured or who are in the recovery period or are not yet at their maximum physical capacity.”
Hagi has made 24 appearances for Romania, scoring twice, with the goals coming in a 3-2 win over North Macedonia in 2021 and a 2-1 defeat to Germany later in the year.
