Ianis Hagi will have to wait until the end of the month before he can make his latest Rangers comeback.
The Romanian star registered his 100th Gers appearance as he appeared in a blue jersey for the first time in 13 months on Sunday night after climbing off the bench to face St Johnstone. But the 25-year-old – who had been frozen out of Philippe Clement’s squad this summer until agreeing to sacrifice a wage rise he was due for reaching his Ibrox century – lasted just 35 minutes after his half-time introduction.
Hagi now faces a two-match ban after being sent off for a crude stamp on Saints striker Benjamin Kimpioka. The former Fiorentina ace – who spent last year on loan at Alaves – will now sit out Gers next two Premiership dates against Kilmarnock and St Mirren through suspension, while he is also ineligible for the Light Blues’ Europa League clash with Steaua Bucharest on October 24.
That means he won’t be free to play for Clement’s side until they head to Pittodrie to take on joint Premiership leaders Aberdeen on October 30. But Clement is hoping Hagi can keep himself ticking over with action for Romania in next week’s Nations League clashes with Cyprus and Lithuania. The Belgian boss said: “You can see also he lacks rhythm, and that’s normal in this moment.
“So I hope he can get minutes with the national team, that he can come back with good health, and that we can work really well with him in the next few weeks and months to get him to his best level.”