Ianis Hagi became the first figure from Ibrox to address the media five days after Rangers’ shocking Scottish Cup defeat to Queen’s Park. Since the team’s exit from what was their sole realistic shot at domestic silverware this season, there has been near-total silence from Ibrox.
However, while Ianis Hagi was candid in his evaluation of the ‘unacceptable’ result and performance at Ibrox, the Rangers midfielder also issued a statement aimed at Celtic in the ongoing title race.
Ianis Hagi sends Celtic Rangers title message
Despite the Parkhead side leading by 13 points in the Scottish Premiership as they cruise toward a sixth treble in nine years, Ianis Hagi and his Ibrox teammates remain defiant. For them, surrender is not an option until the title is mathematically out of reach.
“Well, there’s still plenty of football to play,” Hagi stated.
“Obviously, in the league, mathematically nothing is over, and personally, as long as mathematically I still have a chance, I’m still going to go all in no matter what and then hope.
“And then obviously we have Europe, which we’ve had success in until now.
“Recent years, also this season as well, the team played really well in Europe, so obviously those games are going to be really big for us.”
Rangers players owe it to the fans
Despite his rallying cry, Ianis Hagi is fully aware of the magnitude of the challenge facing Rangers this season. The team is staring down the possibility of a trophyless campaign, but Hagi is urging his teammates to stand tall and give their all for the badge on the club’s jersey.
The Romanian international, who may be free to leave Ibrox this summer, insists that he and his teammates owe the Rangers supporters nothing less than 110% effort.
“As a player, when you represent this football club, no matter the games—friendly games or, as people say, games where you have nothing to play for—you still have to pull the shirt on and represent the club in the best way possible,” Hagi emphasized.
“It takes good character, and everybody, whenever you sign a deal with Rangers, you owe that to the fans.
“So there’s not really any type of excuse not to go full out whenever the training comes or a game comes.”
