Returning Hagi 'set example' during Rangers exile

Ianis Hagi has returned to first team training with Rangers

Rangers manager Philippe Clement is pleased to welcome Ianis Hagi back into his squad and praised the attacking midfielder's conduct during a contract impasse.

The 25-year-old Romania international last played for the Ibrox club in August 2023, before a loan switch to Alaves in Spain for the remainder of last season.

Since returning to Ibrox after the Euros, he has been training and playing with the B team because of a contractual issue.

"The issue is solved, both parties came together," Clement said. "He is back with the squad training and getting back to his best level is his job now.

"There is way to go yet [before Hagi is match fit] but the more players you have that can make a difference for the team the better."

Hagi joined Rangers from Belgian side Genk in January 2020, with an initial loan leading to a permanent deal.

In late August, he wrote a social media message stressing that he had "never once asked to leave", adding "I will always make myself available."

At the time, Clement had responded by saying: "We were really open and honest with him and his agent that we don’t see him becoming the next number 10 for Rangers in the next couple of years, so to look out for other opportunities."

Now that a contract solution has been found, Clement said that Hagi had "behaved well all the time" and "there was never a problem between us.

"He was everything you would expect of a professional. He's an example in that way.

"Clearly I am happy that this situation, that I didn't like to have, is resolved."