Rangers stars influence Ianis Hagi return as players back exiled team-mate

Ianis Hagi’s return to the Rangers first-team has boosted the dressing room - after several prominent top team stars backed him to be welcomed back.

Philippe Clement appeared to rule out any chance of the popular Romanian getting back into his plans after he had been ostracised over a contractual issue with the Ibrox club. But there was a shock U-turn with the Rangers media team sharing a photo of the 25-year-old as part of a training gallery on the club’s social media account. Hagi also took to his own personal Instagram page to express his delight at being back.

That didn’t look possible when Clement seemed to slam the door shut on Hagi after holding talks with the players' agent in the summer to tell him he should look elsewhere for a club. Even after the transfer window closed without Hagi finding a move, Clement stated publicly that he didn’t see the player as a solution to the No. 10 position.

But Record Sport can reveal Hagi had the support of several influential members of the dressing room. The Romanian international had been dropped to the B team by Clement.

There were also contractual issues with the playmaker, who was set to trigger increased terms if he played a set amount of games. Hagi had previously said he would surrender that to get back in the Rangers team. That issue has now been resolved and after talks with Clement, his manager has agreed to bring him back into the top team.

Clement will now assess Hagi alongside his top team. He isn’t eligible to play against Lyon on Thursday night because he is not registered for their Europa League campaign.

It remains to be seen if he comes back into Clement’s squad for the weekend Scottish Premiership clash with St Johnstone. The 25-year-old hasn’t played for