Journalist Derek Clark has claimed that Ianis Hagi’s return from injury will give Michael Beale a selection headache at Rangers.
Hagi is yet to appear for the Ibrox giants this season after missing virtually the whole year due to knee surgery he underwent last January.
The 24-year-old was forced off with an anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained in the Scottish Cup tie against Stirling Albion back in and has only since returned to light training.
With him a regular starter last season before he picked up his horror knee injury, it will give Beale a huge boost to call on the Romanian, who’s scored 15 times and registered 21 assists since arriving at Ibrox in 2020.
With a return to come potentially early in the new year, Clark said on The Rangers Review that his re-emergence will give Beale a headache when it comes to selecting who starts in the No 10 role.
Clark said: “He offers Rangers something different, although it remains to be seen where he’ll play because I think the experiment of playing out wide right should be consigned to history because that never worked. Michael Beale might have a bit of a headache as to who he plays in that attacking-midfield No 10 role.”
TIF Thoughts on Clark’s comments…
We think Hagi’s return could feel like a new signing at Ibrox, with him currently missing 62 games since his injury.
It may be tough for the 24-year-old upon return, with ACL injuries like he suffered not seeing many players able to return to their former level, and the Romanian could be at such risk.
This, paired with Malik Tillman’s form which has brought about three goals and four assists in the SPFL this campaign means his place in the side won’t be assured.
Hagi’s return will be heavily watched with Rangers sure to take extra care over their star, though with Tillman’s loan set to expire at the end of the season, the Romanian could be eased back in. However, it remains to be seen what condition Hagi will be in and how soon his comeback arrives.