This time last summer, Rangers gave Michael Beale a free hand to build the squad he wanted with no director of football in place.
It turned out to be one of many mistakes from the board who, 12-months later, are under even more pressure.
Philippe Clement inherited a squad that was imbalanced and lacking in quality, however, he will be encouraged by the form of Ianis Hagi ahead of a return to Rangers.
Ianis Hagi could yet line up for Rangers next season
The 25-year old playmaker impressed against Slovakia to help his country progress into the last 16 of the European Championships.
Since injuring his ACL in January 2022, it’s been a difficult two years.
He went from being a regular under Giovanni van Bronckhorst to returning to fitness and being ostracised by Michael Beale.
His lack of game time in pre-season and once the campaign kicked off was something that Hagi was clearly not happy about:
“Every footballer wants to play.
“I’m obviously disappointed by the situation but I respect the gaffer’s decisions. That doesn’t mean I agree with them but I respect them – he’s the manager of this club.
“I’m a simple guy, I just love football. I train 100% on a daily basis. I come back from a one-year injury, they know who I am and they know my history at this football club, what I’ve done.
“I’ve won at this football club individual and collected trophies. I just love to play football. That’s what I’ve done since I started walking as a kid. I’m just happy to be on the pitch and just enjoy my football. This is who I am.
“I’ve never felt better. I knew I needed a pre-season, I think I’m the only player in this team who has not missed a session this pre-season, plus the start of the season.
“I’ve been available for everything. I am happy with where I am physically. My stats are good, some of them are better than prior to injury. I’m in a really good place mentally and physically.”
Bizarrely, despite being Rangers best player the season before as a number 10, Beale signed Sam Lammers, moved Todd Cantwell and sent Hagi out on loan to Deportivo Alaves.
A decision that looked stranger with every passing month.
Hagi decision on future not yet been made
Now, speaking exclusively to Rangers News, respected Romanian journalist Emanual Rosu, who has provided work for the BBC, Four Four Two, The Guardian and World Socccer, has revealed that Hagi’s Ibrox career might not yet be over.
When asked if Hagi’s mind was already set on a move, he said:
“He likes Rangers a lot, he didn’t leave because he wanted to.
“He was told that he was not going to play too much under Beale and that is why he left last year.
“He had also just recovered from injury.
“I believe no decision regarding his future was made, there will be plenty of time after the Euros.”
In his three appearances for Romania in Germany, Hagi has looked sharp.
He might not be blessed with the pace of Rabbi Matondo or Oscar Cortes, however, his technical ability and game intelligence more than make up for this.
In his only full season at Rangers he posted 23 goal contributions in 36 starts across all competitions – those are the numbers Clement needs in the final third.
Whether or not we will see him in a Rangers shirt again, could depend on how well he plays in the next round, especially if other clubs are impressed.
