Rangers’ expectations in the summer transfer window have been tempered by Philippe Clement over the weekend.
The Belgian manager isn’t one to mince his words in Glasgow and Clement’s loaded Rangers barb about having to to sell to buy hasn’t missed supporters.
In a window where Rangers are supposed to revamp a squad who are devastatingly low on confidence it’s not exactly the rousing message of title defiance fans wanted to hear.
Rangers are now looking through their squad for the players who could fetch us enough income to kick a so far underwhelming transfer window into life.
It won’t be Jack Butland, it might be Sam Lammers, but there’s another player in the squad who is finding it easier to negotiate a fortune for his wedding than Rangers are his exit.
Hagi secures royal wedding boost
Ianis Hagi has felt both the burden and the advantage of the name on the back of his shirt.
The son of Romanian football royalty in ex-Real Madrid, Barcelona and Galatasaray midfielder Gheorghe Hagi, getting into football was never going to be a choice for Ianis.
But the midfielder has both had to live up to the expectations associated with his father and also benefited from that early exposure to a life in the beautiful game.
As a result, the midfielder is one of the most high profile sportspeople in Romania and the Rangers star’s wedding was big news in Bucharest.
So much so that – as explained by the Daily Record – local Romanian broadcaster Direct paid £200k for exclusive rights to cover the ceremony.
This is at the same time as Ianis Hagi is in discussions over his Rangers future.
After a season on loan in Spain, Hagi has instructed his agents to assess his options as he enjoys extended downtime following Euro 2024.
Rangers midfielder’s future uncertain
The story of Ianis Hagi at Rangers is ultimately one tinged with regret, from all parties.
When Rangers signed the attacking midfielder – once regarded amongst European football’s most gifted youngsters – it symbolised a significant step forward in the club’s transfer dealings.
Here was Rangers, under Steven Gerrard and Ross Wilson, making a move for a Romanian international and a player of apparently limitless untapped potential.
It started so brightly for Ianis Hagi in Glasgow, too.
The attacking midfielder’s comeback double v Braga in 2020 won him a place in the hearts of fans, as did that famous post-match line.
Ibrox baby, it’s just different.
Hagi too was a hugely influential player as Rangers regained the Scottish Premiership title in 2021 and looked to be growing into a creative force in Gerrard’s team.
But the impressive progress Ianis Hagi had made at Rangers was halted – as has been the case for several players in recent seasons – by a serious injury.
Since then the attacking midfielder has failed to get back on track at Rangers, or anywhere else, and this is a pivotal summer for the 25-year-old.
Should he stay at Rangers and fail to break into Philippe Clement’s squad it’ll be another year wasted.
Should he make a wrong move – like the switch to Alaves – Hagi risks taking yet another step back instead of one forward.
