Ianis Hagi has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Rangers supporters following his appearance in their 2-0 victory over St Johnstone on Sunday, October 6th. After spending over a year away from the team, during which he was loaned to Spanish side Deportivo Alaves, Hagi made his long-awaited return at Ibrox, much to the delight of the fans.
The 25-year-old midfielder, who hadn’t featured for the Rangers since August 2023, started his comeback in thrilling fashion by assisting one of Vaclav Cerny’s two goals. However, his return took an unexpected turn when he was sent off for a high challenge on St Johnstone’s Benjamin Kimpioka, cutting short his promising performance. Despite this, the reception from the Ibrox faithful clearly left a lasting impression on Hagi. The day after the match, he took to Instagram to thank the fans, writing, “Ibrox, thank you. I will forever be grateful for last night’s reception.”
Hagi’s emotional return resonated with fans, who could see how much it meant for him to be back on the pitch after such a long absence. His red card, which came after a challenge that didn’t appear to carry any malicious intent, was a disappointment for both the player and the fans. Rangers manager Philippe Clement recognized the significance of the moment, offering a consoling hug as Hagi made his way off the field, a gesture that was met with applause from the home crowd.
Although the red card has cast a shadow over Hagi’s return, there is still hope for him as the season is far from over. With most of the 2024/25 campaign still ahead, Hagi will have opportunities to make a positive impact once he serves his suspension. His yellow card being upgraded to a red has sparked some controversy, but it hasn’t diminished the excitement surrounding his return to the team.
For Rangers, the victory over St Johnstone was