I’d love the chance to feast at Europe’s top table
Hagi’s aiming to be fully fit to help Gers qualify for Champions League
Ianis Hagi had to sit and suffer like every Rangers fan this season through a tortuous Champions League campaign.
Now the Romanian star wants to wipe away some of that pain by securing a quickfire return to the group stage.
Hagi missed out with a serious knee injury as Gio van Bronckhorst ’ s side were obliterated against Liverpool, Ajax and Napoli.
He was helpless on the sidelines but the 24-year- old says he’ll be fit and firing when Champions League qualifiers come round again in August.
And after sampling the tournament with Belgian side Genk four years ago, he’s desperate for another taste.
Famous father Gheorghe was in the Steaua Bucharest team who lost the European Cup Final to AC Milan in 1989.
And for Turkish giants Galatasaray, Hagi Senior scored six goal s in the Champions League.
The tournament means a lot to Ianis, who is determined to get Rangers back on that stage next season.
Hagi could get a start against Aberdeen in the Premiership today but he’s already thinking about dining at Europe’s top table next term.
He said: “I played in the Champions League with Genk three years ago.
“But unfortunately, I wasn’t f it to play in it this season with Rangers.
“It’s huge for the players, fans and also the club from a financial point of view.
“The Champions League is the biggest stage in football and everybody wants to have that on their CV.
“So I’m definitely excited to have the opportunity to fight for a place there next season.
“Hopeful ly we can do the same as this season when we qualified – but do much better in the group stage.
“When I got injured I knew I wouldn’t be able to play this season. So I just tried to help my team-mates in other ways at the training ground.
“I hoped I’d get some European football in February or March but unfortunately we couldn’t do it.”
After a year out, it’s easy to forget how impressive Hagi was for Rangers, especially during their title-winning season in 2021.
He was the league’s top assist-maker and a key player under Steven Gerrard.
Such a lengthy lay- off will always cast doubt over whether he can reach those levels again.
B ut t he Roma n i a n international inte has assured fans he’ll he’ be ready to hit the ground running run this summer.
And A he hopes Michael Beale’s Be new recruits will do likewise.
Hagi H said: “I have been here for three-and-a-half years but I’ve I’v only really had one full season se (when Rangers won the th league).
“So I know what I am capableb of and want to get into a position again where I can play a full 90 minutes every three days. I’ve enjoyed my football in the last few weeks – even if people haven’t seen it.
“I ’m getting better and better. The season is coming to an end too fast for me. I’ve had enough time off!
“We have to kick on from the first day in pre-season because we have Champions League qualifiers really early.
“Hopefully the new people who come in, our chemistry will be really good and we can click quickly.
“When the gaffer talks about taking the team to the next level, bringing in more quality and needing to win trophies for Rangers – these are positive signs for me.
“This is a club we’re privileged to be at. You don’t want to be a team trying to save themselves from relegation or who can’t sign new players.
“We’re at a team that’s fighting for four competitions every season and that’s a privilege. It’s exciting.”
Wherever Beale wants to play Hagi – either in midfield or in the attacking third – the playmaker insists he’ll adapt.
He said: “The position doesn’t matter. What matters is my role in the team.
“The gaffer knows me well enough and what I can bring. If the role of the No.10 is to play wide then I will do that.
“If it’s to play central, I can do that as a No. 8, a 10 or a false nine. I have played every position up front and every one is good for me.”