International manager hints at major Rangers player blow

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Romania manager Edi Iordanescu hinted at a major blow for Rangers when discussing Ianis Hagi’s knee injury with ProSport.

Hagi is an important player for club and country, who often provides moments of inspiration in the final third.

However, he is facing an extended spell on the sidelines after picking up a serious knee injury against Stirling Albion in the Scottish Cup last month.

After undergoing successful surgery, he was officially ruled out for the rest of the season [Sky Sports].

That was already a considerable blow, particularly as Rangers will be competing on three fronts over the coming weeks and months.

However, now it has emerged that the 23-year-old’s absence could also run over into next season.

“I spoke to him twice and he may be unavailable for five to six months,” said Iordanescu [ProSport]. “It’s very unfortunate for him.”

“I don’t want to put pressure on him to rush back, but of course, we need our best players for Romania.

“It’s very unfortunate because Ianis was going through a really good period in his career. He had started to really prove he could do it.”

Six months from now takes us to early August and the 2022/23 Premiership season is scheduled to kick off on the weekend of 30/31 July.

As Rangers fans have learned the hard way in recent times with other key men such as Ryan Jack and Filip Helander, it can take players a long time to get back ready for match action following their return to training, too.

Therefore, Bears will be hoping that this estimate of five to six months has already factored that in.

Hagi is contracted to Rangers until the summer of 2024 and had reportedly been attracting transfer interest from a number of clubs in mainland Europe prior to his injury.

Meanwhile, in a possible Rangers transfer blow, an Ibrox-linked player has suggested he could extend his contract at his current club.