Philippe Clement looks like a man who knows that he is under pressure, even after a comfortable win the Rangers boss cut a frustrated figure.
Questions about his future as manager, doubts about new additions being added to the squad and unrest within every corner of Ibrox is not the progress that he would have imagined this time last year.
The summer wasn’t exactly a walk in the park either although resolving the contract situation of Ianis Hagi has clearly benefited Rangers.
Ianis Hagi happy again at Rangers
The circus around the Romania international didn’t help with his famous father Gheorghe Hagi far from happy with the treatment of his son, going as far as claiming he told Rangers to “shut up”.
According to The Glasgow Times though, the summer of discontent has subsided after Hagi returned to play a key role for Clement:
“I didn’t want to bother Clement. I just wanted to hang out with Ianis. So no, I didn’t talk to him,” said Hagi Snr after previously criticising the Gers boss.
“I’m not angry with anyone.
“The relationship between Clement and Ianis has improved, and things look very good now.
“Ianis has demonstrated, first of all, that he loves football and that this sport means a lot to him. Last summer was extremely difficult for him and he passed a very difficult test.
“He showed how dedicated he is. I have to praise national manager Mircea Lucescu for calling him to the national team even at a time when he had few playing minutes.
“Mircea had the courage to call him and was very pleased with him.
“Ianis is a mature and established player. He has played at all levels for our national team was named the best young player, won the championship with Rangers and achieved remarkable results.
“But, like any footballer, he went through bad times. I had those too, like when I was relegated to Serie B with Brescia.
“I bring him luck. When I’m present at his matches, the goal usually comes!
“Unfortunately, it will be very difficult for me to see him again this season because I am busy with what I have to do.”
Should Rangers cash in on Hagi?
With four goals and one assist in 12 league appearances – nine full games in terms of minutes – Hagi has shown signs of the sort of form he displayed in Rangers title winning season.
Clement is clearly happy to have the playmaker back in the squad, however, a more natural winger of a similar quality to Vaclav Cerny on the opposite flank would probably be his preference.
There has been interest reported in Hagi but his profile and return to form should see Rangers value him higher than the £1.5m fee being mentioned.
What is obvious, is that Clement needs every good player that he can get his hands on and Hagi has done more than most in recent weeks to lift those around him, if only he’d been available sooner.
