Ianis Hagi expressed his gratitude to the Ibrox crowd following Rangers’ 2-0 victory over St Johnstone on October 6. The 25-year-old midfielder had been sidelined since August 2023 due to a loan at Deportivo Alaves and a complicated contract situation upon his return to Rangers.
In his comeback appearance, Hagi made an impressive start by assisting Vaclav Cerny for one of his two goals. However, his return took a downturn when he received a red card for a high tackle on Benjamin Kimpioka, cutting short what had been a promising performance.
On October 7, Hagi took to Instagram to convey his appreciation, stating, “Ibrox, thank you. I will forever be grateful for last night’s reception.” His visible excitement at being back on the pitch reflected the emotions of a player who had faced a long absence due to injury. Unfortunately, the red card overshadowed his comeback, as Hagi is not known for aggressive play and seemed to have no intention of harming the St Johnstone player.
Manager Philippe Clement recognized the significance of the moment for Hagi, offering him a hug as he left the field to the applause of the home supporters.
Despite the setback of his suspension, Hagi has the majority of the 2024/25 season ahead to make his mark, although the yellow card that was upgraded to a red has sparked some controversy.
Overall, it was a positive night for Rangers as they head into the international break, trailing just five points behind league leaders Celtic and Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.
Meanwhile, in other news regarding the team, commentator Keith Jackson suggested that Clement might need to reconsider the role of one of his players, indicating that a change could be necessary.
