Philippe Clement happy to have Ianis Hagi available after Rangers contract compromise

Rangers manager Philippe Clement is happy that Ianis Hagi has returned to the first-team fold, saying the next task is to get the player back to his best.

Hagi spent last season on loan at Deportivo Alaves and played for his national side at Euro 2024 but was exiled to train and play with the B team when he returned to Rangers this summer.

Clement told the Romanian he did not have a long-term future at Ibrox and advised him to find another club. However, he remained at Ibrox after the last transfer deadline but trained away from the first team.

Now, the manager says that a contractual issue with the club has been resolved, freeing Hagi to be available for selection again.

“It was a contract issue from before my time,” Clement said. “The issue is solved.

“Both parties: the club and Hagi, came together and now it is resolved, It’s normal that he’s back in the squad training and getting him back to his best level is the job now.”

It had been reported that another appearance for the 25-year-old, who has played 99 games for Rangers, would trigger an improved deal. Clement did not go into details of the discussions and outcome, but when asked if there had been “sacrifice” on both sides to reach this point, he agreed.

“Both parties worked towards each other and found each other, finally,” he said. “So that’s a good thing.”

Hagi is not registered for European competition, so he will not be part of the plans for Thursday’s clash with Lyon at Ibrox, but he would be available to play in domestic games. The Rangers boss suggested that playing return may not be imminent, but he is glad to add to his options.

“He’s not an option yet because there’s a way to go, but the more players you can have that can make a difference for your team, the better,” Clement explained.

“Clearly I’m happy that this situation, that I didn’t like having, is resolved now.

“He’s behaved well all the time and was good all the time so there was never a problem between us. We met each other a lot of times here in the building and he did everything you would expect from a professional player.

“In those situations it’s not always the case but he’s been an example in this way.

“It’s a new signing in some way because I was never able to work with him and have him in my squad.”

Clement’s immediate focus is on Thursday’s night’s Europa League match, where he hopes Rangers can build on their opening day win away at Malmo.

After relocating to Hampden for their Champions League qualifier, the Lyon game will be the first European match at Ibrox this season and the manager is anticipating an exciting occasion.

“I think the European nights were the most special nights also, so I hope to see that tomorrow,” he said.

“But of course, we are also realistic about Lyon. It’s a very good team.

“It’s better for me than the teams we met in our group stage. I think it’s the level of Benfica, who we met last season.

“But you see the difference in budget and the money they’ve spent with this squad. I know a lot of players from this squad from my time in Monaco, but also the players who they brought in for 20, 25, 32 million. It’s a different world. We know that.

“But we’re going to fight with our qualities towards them like we did against Betis and Benfica, because it is also comparable in that way.”