Emotional Ianis Hagi sends message to Rangers fans as Ibrox comeback NOT spoiled by red card

Ianis Hagi's long-awaited Rangers comeback may have been short-lived.

But the Romanian playmaker has told fans his welcome back will live with him forever. Hagi was finally brought out of cold storage last night after a dispute over a contract issue was resolved. The 25-year-old spent last season on loan with La Liga outfit Alaves and hadn't played for the Light Blues since August 2023.

After spending the early parts of the campaign training with the B team, Hagi returned to first-team action last night as he came off the bench at half-time in the 2-0 win over St Johnstone. He made an immediate impact too, assisting Vaclav Cerny for the Czech's second goal of the night.

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However, his cameo lasted just 36 minutes after Hagi was sent off for a lunge on St Johnstone striker Benji Kimpioka. Hagi left the pitch in tears but Philippe Clement put his dismissal down to rustiness following a 14-month Ibrox exile.

Hagi - who hasn't been registered in the Europa League squad - will now serve an immediate two-match ban, ruling him out of upcoming clashes against Kilmarnock and St Mirren. However, rather than dwell on the setback, the midfielder has issued an Instagram message to fans thanking them for the warm welcome back.

He wrote: "Ibrox, thank you. I will forever be grateful for last night’s reception."