It’s fair to say Ianis Hagi’s return to the Rangers fold brought rather mixed results as Philippe Clement’s side defeated St Johnstone at Ibrox.
The Romania international’s assist – Hagi set up Vaclav Cerny’s second goal in another Rangers win – was typically of the man. An inch-perfect through ball, rattled into the feet of the Czech winger.
A red card in the dying stages, however, means Rangers will have to wait another three games to see Ianis Hagi in action once again.
But Kris Boyd – the Ibrox legend has been open in his desire to see Hagi return to the frame – believes that a few tantalising touches and that piercing assist immediately justified Clement’s decision to instil fresh life back into a Gers career which looked to have taken it’s final breath a few weeks earlier.
Kris Boyd delighted by Ianis Hagi’s Rangers return
“Good ball [to set up Cerny’s goal] from Ianis Hagi, who was obviously sent off later on. It was the correct decision. It was a red card,” Boyd admits. “But it was good to see him back.
“And I think he could be a big player for Rangers once he gets back into the first-team and gets back up to match speed.
“I think he can have an impact for Rangers.”
Hagi was utilised on the left-hand side when introduced at half-time by Clement, replacing Ross McCausland.
With Tom Lawrence ruled out through injury – albeit only a ‘minor’ one, according to his manager – Nedim Bajrami was deployed in his favoured number ten role rather than wide on the flank.
And Boyd feels that, with Hagi drifting in from the flank, the overlapping, touch-line treading talents of Jefte Vital could be maximised, perhaps in a manner reminiscent of the Ryan Kent – Borna Barisic partnership of yesteryear.
Boyd says Hagi can get the best out of Rangers’ Jefte
“Tom Lawrence in that area, when he’s on fire and scoring goals and fit, then he’s an asset. But, unfortunately for Rangers, he is injured and they do need someone else in that position,” adds Boyd, a five-time Golden Boot winner in Scotland’s top flight.
“[Lawrence’s absence] will maybe allow them to bring Bajrami into the middle of the pitch.
“You look at the way that Philippe Clement wants to play, Cerny come in from the right allows [James] Tavernier to go around him. On the left-hand side, if it is Hagi, he is going to come in and try and use his right. That allows Jefte to get forward as well.
“With his running power, Jefte, he will get up and down. He’ll get balls into the box. But it needs to come from someone on the wide area coming inside, and Hagi will do that.”
Jefte, while still awaiting his first assist in Rangers colours, appears to be growing in prominence and confidence by the week.
The Brazilian seized his chance to nail down a starting berth during Ridvan Yilmaz’s spell on the sidelines. And Boyd has been full of praise for Jefte’s ‘unbelievable’ delivery on that trusty left boot, the former Fluminense starlet sharing Barisic’s talents for whipping crosses onto a sixpence.
Jefte certainly feels better suited, meanwhile, to playing behind an inverted playmaker such as a Hagi or a Bajrami rather than a more traditional winger in McCausland.
The Northern Ireland international struggled to make an impact on the left against St Johnstone before his half-time withdrawal.
