Ianis Hagi hasn’t enjoyed the smoothest of summers following his return to Rangers after a loan spell with Deportivo Alaves last season.
The Romanian made 26 appearances for the Spanish outfit with just two goals and two assists to his name as he struggled to make a lasting impact.
He’s back in Glasgow but it’s clear manager Philippe Clement has no plans to bed Hagi back into the first-team squad for the season ahead.
Despite being fully fit – something Hagi has struggled with at Ibrox – Rangers want to cash in on the talent with Clement confirming this at his pre-match Dynamo Kyiv press conference in midweek.
There was even the suggestion Rangers would be happy for Hagi to leave for free – although that one is hard to believe and would not go down well with fans.
Hagi has been linked with Fiorentina and Fenerbahce across the summer but for now remains a Rangers employee as we approach the middle of August.
The attacking midfielder has been playing for Rangers B over the last week or so having made an appearance against Middlesbrough on August 5.
And he was named in the starting line-up for Saturday’s morning fixture against Derby County with Rangers B aiming for a fourth friendly victory of the summer.
Hagi shines for Rangers B as fans issue pleas
Hagi started alongside Rangers starlet Alex Lowry, whose future in Govan isn’t exactly clear either after a loan spell at Hearts last season.
But it was the son of Gheorghe who lit up Auchenhowie with a statement performance proving his undeniable quality – something the Rangers first-team could be doing with at the moment.
Archie Stevens scored the opening goal after 14 minutes before Hagi stole the first-half show against The Rams with two cracking efforts, his second a tremendous free-kick which flew into the top corner.
Hagi then completed a stunning hat-trick before being subbed after 65 minutes. And his exploits got Rangers fans on X pleading with Clement to eat his words and reintroduce Hagi back into the first-team fold.
One fan posted: “He’s decent wonder how he’d do in the first team?”
Another wrote: “Please Phil I’ll drive him to hampden right now”.
This supporter simply requested: “Get him back in the first team”.
More reaction flooded the Rangers B match updates on X when Hagi smashed in his free-kick.
This fan asked ahead of the first-team’s game against Motherwell on Saturday: “How much is a taxi from Auchenhowie to Hampden?
While this punter delivered a more detailed assessment: “Two goals in opening half hour for Ianis for the B team.
“Attitude seems to be spot on. No reason if a move not yet lined up that we shouldn’t be considering him to help the full squad particularly for league games. Taxi to Hampden!!”
Philippe Clement’s most recent Hagi comments
After confirming earlier in the week that the plan is for Hagi to be sold this summer, Clement was then pressed on the Romanian again before the Scottish Premiership clash with Motherwell.
Quizzed on whether Hagi would be able to leave Rangers for nothing before the transfer window was out, the Belgian replied: “That’s a rumour. Not one that I have heard until now.
“I am not busy all this time with what amount of money a player is going out or coming in or all those things – that is not my job to do.
“My job is to see what is necessary for the squad, what profiles we need. And there are other people financially making decisions. It’s not me making that kind of decision.”
