IANIS HAGI hasn’t kicked a ball under Philippe Clement and could leave Rangers without ever doing so.
But some Gers fans reckon he should be given the chance to prove himself to the new manager after starring for Romania at the Euros.
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Hagi, 25, was shipped out on loan before Clement arrived, when former boss Michael Beale deemed him surplus to requirements at Ibrox.
He joined Deportivo Alaves in La Liga but had an up-and-down season in Spain, suffering from inconsistent performances.
It was a close call whether he would make his country’s Euro 2024 squad, which would have been unthinkable to national hero Gheorghe Hagi, his father.
In this evening’s crucial Group E clash against Slovakia, Hagi won his team a penalty which was tucked away by Razvan Marin to bring Romania level at 1-1.
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Hagi picked up the ball on the right wing and drove inside directly at the penalty box.
He shifted the ball onto his left foot but there was contact between he and Dávid Hancko, which saw the referee blow for a foul.
BUT he initially awarded a free-kick, before VAR intervened and the decision was overturned to a spot kick.
Hagi was also praised by the BBC commentary team on live TV and by Rangers fans on social media for his general display.
“Hagi repping at the highest stage, GET HIM BACK IN. We want and we need the Romanian Prince back,” said one supporter.
“Ianis Hagi definitely has a place this Rangers squad,” came another response.
Another Rangers fan said: “Hagi has been absolutely immense this first half.”
Before a fourth added: “Hagi under Clement would bang.”
Playmaker Hagi will be back in Glasgow for pre-season but with two years left on his contract, he could be seen as a valuable transfer asset to raise funds for Clement’s own summer targets.
His agent Victor Becali said back in April: “Ianis’ situation is clear – he returns to Rangers at the end of the season.
“He is on loan at Alaves, he returns to his team and no, it won’t be Galatasaray.
“The Turkish media have written for years about Ianis going to Galatasaray. There is no contact and there never has been.”
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