A Hotline caller has hailed returning Rangers star Ianis Hagi as 'remarkable' and claims Philippe Clement's prior treatment of the player was a 'disgrace'.
The Romania international made his first start for the Gers since May 2023 in last weekend's 1-0 victory against St Johnstone after previously being frozen out by the Belgian because of a clause in his contract that would have seen his wages go up with additional appearances. Hagi was left out of the Light Blues' Europa League squad after returning from a season-long loan at Alaves, and it was widely assumed he would leave the club before the end of the summer window.
But one Rangers punter is delighted to see him back in the picture in Govan. Robert Livingston, Palm Beach, said: “Ianis Hagi is a remarkable person. He suffered the worst type of injury that forced him to be out for 12 months and nearly finished his career, but never gave up. He is player of quality, whose professionalism shone during nasty times against a mean Clement, who lacked integrity.
“His treatment of the player was a disgrace but Ianis had the willpower and character to rise above it. After such treatment why on earth stay when others would have left? The reason his love for the club and fans, rare thing nowadays.”
Rangers continued their impressive start to their Europa League campaign with a 4-1 away victory against injury-ravaged Nice last Thursday, and Hotline callers have been at each other's throats about the significance of the win. Alan Flett, wrote: "How does John Scott know that Nice fielded their reserve side v Rangers? Is he a keen follower of French football or, is he simply trying to deflect the fact that his team are hopeless in Europe?”
Sean Beech, Hampshire, said: “If Messrs Flett and Lowe are so happy with their Rangers team then let them be. I imagine though that they were as surprised as everyone else at the declining state of French football – never in recent memory has an opposition team made Rangers look that good on the field of play. I bet they wish they could play them every week.”
Rivals Celtic are in a strong position to reach the knockouts of the Champions League but Derek Maclachlan has been quick to play down their achievements. He emailed:“Caller Brian McColligan said Celtic are playing the best in Champions League and Rangers playing dross in Europa League. Celtic's group is just basically a (dross) Europa League group in reality and they are sitting 20th in the whole table.
Ibrox skipper James Tavernier insists he still has plenty to offer to Clement's side despite being in and out of the team in recent weeks but Davy Matson isn't convinced. He said: “James Tavernier says he’s not over the hill. It’s true, he’s not over the hill – because he failed to climb it.”
Elsewhere, struggling Hibs have confirmed the appointment of Garvan Stewart as their new transfer supremo, however one Hibs caller reckons the former Bournemouth man has one almighty mess to try clean cup. Neil Renton, Leith, said: “Good luck to Garvan Stewart who left Bournemouth to become head of recruitment at Hibs. After sitting through seasons of players who have often looked like they’ve won a raffle to get a game for the club, it’s a role as thankless as being the PR for Gregg Wallace.”
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