That’s my mentality and that’s what I’m focusing on”- Ianis Hagi Reveals The Huge Rangers Opportunity He’s Eager To Reclaim As European Hangover Continues
Philippe Clement’s side has had an impressive season in Europe, securing a top-eight finish in the league phase.
Ianis Hagi can take pride in the role he played in kickstarting Rangers’ journey to Seville. The Ibrox playmaker believes his team is building momentum similar to their near Europa League triumph three years ago.
Injury, however, kept the Romanian from contributing in the later stages of that campaign.
A knee ligament tear sidelined Hagi as Gio van Bronckhorst’s side triumphed over Borussia Dortmund, Red Star Belgrade, Braga, and RB Leipzig, setting up a final showdown with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Although missing out on that thrilling European adventure was disheartening, Hagi still reflects fondly on the crucial goal he scored against Brondby to earn a 1-1 draw in Denmark, a result that kept Rangers on track for the knockout stages.
While Hagi feels he had a meaningful part to play back then, he can’t say the same for this year’s European campaign, as he was excluded from Philippe Clement’s UEFA squad list due to a summer contract dispute.
Despite his absence, Rangers still defied expectations by reaching the last 16, with a match against either Anderlecht, Bodo/Glimt, Twente, or Fenerbahce next month.
This leaves room for Hagi to contribute this season after resolving his contract issues with the club. As one of three players Clement is allowed to add to his squad for the knockout rounds, Hagi is hopeful of making an impact.
He said, “I’ve always loved European nights, and I hope I can contribute to those just as much as in domestic games. It’s tough when you’re not playing at all, and I want to be out there for the full 90 minutes. I believe every player wants that, and I certainly do.”
Reflecting on missing out on the road to Seville, Hagi added, “There’s definitely a part of me that wants to experience those big nights.
That European run was incredible, especially considering how we began with the Alashkert game, going down to 10 men after 40 minutes but still progressing to the group stages. Everyone did their job back then, including myself in the group stages.
I scored that goal in Brondby, keeping our chances alive. We just have to take it one game at a time, and it’s fantastic that we made it into the top eight. I’m excited for the last 16.”
One of Hagi’s standout moments came during another iconic European night in March 2020, when he helped spark a dramatic comeback against Braga, scoring twice in a 3-2 victory, with his winning goal taking a fortunate deflection.
He had a similar stroke of luck in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Ross County, where another deflected free kick found the back of the net. He smiled, saying, “I’ve been unlucky with my free kicks since that Braga game. I’ve hit the post quite a few times, so it was nice to finally have some luck on my side.
I trust my free kicks and hope to keep adding more goals, competing with Skip [James Tavernier], who is an excellent free-kick taker. It’s good to have different options in the team, and I hope we can score as many as possible.”
There’s a more positive atmosphere around Ibrox after Thursday’s win over Union Saint-Gilloise, capping off a memorable European campaign, and Sunday’s victory over St Johnstone, marking four straight Premiership wins.
These results have alleviated the pressure on Clement, following the protests he faced last month. However, Hagi remains cautious, saying, “It’s crucial to focus on the next game.
During my injury, I learned the saying, ‘Never get too high with the highs and never get too low with the lows,’ and that’s how I approach things now.
We’re happy with the current momentum, but we need to maintain it. Does this boost our mentality? 100 percent. It’s about building a team and staying consistent, even when faced with tough opposition. That’s our focus going forward.”
