Rangers manager Steven Gerrard hopes his physios can “pull a rabbit out of the hat” and get Ianis Hagi fit for Tuesday’s Champions League qualifier with Malmo after the Romanian was forced off 30 minutes into yesterday’s 3-0 win over Livingston.
Hagi scored a fantastic opener eight minutes into the first league game of the 2021/22 season for Rangers before a wild challenge left him needing lengthy treatment at the side of the pitch.
After initially looking as though he had recovered, Hagi was forced off soon afterwards to be replaced by Scott Wright and Gerrard hopes it isn’t too serious a knock.
The Malmo tie is likely to come too soon for Hagi to recover but Gerrard has full confidence the Rangers medical staff will do everything to get the Romanian fit as the Light Blues eye a Champions League windfall.
“It’s never helpful to lose a player that early, especially when you’ve only got three substitutions,” Gerrard told Sky Sports.
“Last year you’d probably get away with that a bit more because you’ve got the extra couple of subs.
“He scored an important goal for us to get us up and running.
“And hopefully the kick is not too serious, he’s a bit sore just now but hopefully it shouldn’t keep him out for too long.
“Potentially (missing for Tuesday) but we’ve got good physios and good doctors here so hopefully we can pull a rabbit out the hat and get him ready for Tuesday because he’s going to be important for us.”
Strong start to the season for Hagi before injury dampened Rangers star’s afternoon
Hagi has made an impressive start against Livingston, causing problems for the visitors’ defence and linking well with his Rangers teammates in attack before he was hurt.
The Rangers number 7 produced a number of important goals and assists last season and will be keen to cement his place in the starting XI this term.
With Wright coming in and replacing Hagi, competition for places is going to be fierce as Rangers look to defence their title and reach the group stage of the Champions League.
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