I'M BACK FOR GOOD

Despite spell in wilderness, Hagi knew he'd pull on Gers jersey again

- SCOTT MCDERMOTT

ANGRY? Yes. Deflated and disappointed? Probably.

Ianis Hagi experienced a myriad of emotions during his spell in the Ibrox wilderness.

But the one thing he never felt was beaten. Never down or depressed.

Always optimistic that one day he'd eventually pull on a Rangers jersey again.

Which is no mean feat, given what the Romanian midfielder had to go through. As if spending a year out injured wasn't bad enough.

When Hagi returned he was given the cold shoulder by Gers gaffer Philippe Clement.

A clause in his contract that would have meant one more appearance triggering a pay rise - allied to the financial cuts forced upon the manager meant Hagi was frozen out.

At that point, it would have been easy for the 26-year-old to engineer a way out. During the summer transfer window, he could surely have agitated enough to secure his exit.

Instead, Hagi decided to buckle down and turn out for Rangers' B team in front of two men and a dog at Auchenhowie.

Hagi might have his flaws as a player. But when it comes to mental strength? You might struggle to find a player who is more resilient.

His target was always to get back playing for Gers again and, after a compromise on the contract was BO LI agreed, he's slowly becoming a key player for Clement.