When Abel Ruiz scored Braga’s second goal of the match at Ibrox in the 59th minute of their round-of-32 first-leg tie, many Rangers fans may well have assumed that their European run was coming to an abrupt end. However, the side clawed back three goals in the second half to win the game 3-2.
The job wasn’t done, however, with the Gers needing to travel to Braga and almost certainly pick up a result.
It was a nervy exchange in Braga. Ianis Hagi missed a penalty in the first half, meaning that the sides went into the break at 0-0. Rangers still had the edge, but a Braga goal would have changed things massively.
But when Ryan Kent scored a goal in the 61st minute, the odds massively shifted in Rangers’ favour. And while he missed a penalty in the first half, Hagi played a massive role in the build-up to the goal, recording an assist with a well-placed ball in behind Braga’s defensive line.
The fans praised the Romanian for his overall performance.
https://twitter.com/Aldobbie83/status/1232734134382071810
— lucianos (@luciano01728165) February 26, 2020
Ianis Hagi has been a masterstroke of a signing by Gerrard
— name cannot be blank (@ManLikeK_) February 26, 2020
Hagi’s pass for the goal
— J M (@JMorgan_86) February 26, 2020
What a ball from Hagi, unreal
— Alexander MacDonald (@AlexanderEmbo) February 26, 2020
Has Hagi been Rangers' best player since his arrival?
Yes
No
Another fan points out that over both legs, the player scored two goals and assisted two more. His impact was evident.
Hagi sets up 2 and scores 2 over the 2 legs with braga! #hagi #WATP #last16
— gazza’s blonde hair (@liamhannah1987) February 26, 2020
What do we think?
Hagi’s arrival in January has been a revelation for Steven Gerrard. With the Romanian in his lineup, there is no reason the side can’t go deep into this competition.