Romanian midfielder Ianis Hagi has revealed his emotional journey from being sidelined at Ibrox to becoming a key player for Rangers. The 26-year-old admitted to feeling a range of emotions, including anger and disappointment, during his time out of the team due to injury and a contract clause that would have triggered a pay rise with one more appearance.
Hagi remained optimistic and committed to the club, even playing for Rangers' B team. His resilience and mental strength have been praised, and after a compromise on his contract was reached, he is now slowly becoming an integral part of Philippe Clement's side again.
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He put in an excellent performance in Sunday's win over St Johnstone and is set to feature again in Wednesday's match against Kilmarnock.
Reflecting on overcoming adversity, Hagi admitted: "Will anything in football or life test me more after this? You never say never. But I think I'm at a point where I'm really strong mentally now. I understand football, on the pitch and off it.
"But I think the most important thing over the last couple of seasons has been understanding ME. Understanding myself as a person, as a player, what I need to do to succeed and what I need to play at my best.
"And I feel like, right now, any challenge that comes in front of me, I can deal with it. I wouldn't say I was down. Angry probably, some of the days, yeah.
"At the end of the day, I'm a human being. I have emotions. But I went to bed at night just thinking that I have to respect football. I love this sport way too much to disrespect it.
"By doing that, it meant training myself, doing some extra, preparing my body to be in the right condition. Being involved with the national team as well helped me because I knew that I had to perform and I was going to get minutes for Romania. So mentally, I can't really say I was too down. I was actually in a good place."
In dealings with challenges, Hagi credited key influences. He revealed that both his father - football icon Gheorghe - and Rangers captain James Tavernier were crucial in encouraging him through tough times and ensuring his commitment to returning to top form at Rangers.
Hagi has heaped praise on his father and Rangers captain James Tavernier for their support during tough times. He said: "My father was important, obviously. He didn't really go through these types of situations in his career. But with so much experience in football, he definitely helped me. Not only him but my family as well. And a big shout-out to Tav, the skip."
Ianis Hagi against Dundee United. (Image: Getty)
Hagi continued to laud Tavernier's influence both on and off the pitch, adding: "People know him on the pitch and what he's done for the last few years at Rangers. His stats are just mad for a full-back. But he has helped me a lot and behind the scenes and he does a lot for this football club.
"I have to thank him for being there and being a captain. I will never forget what he did for me during the summer, helping me in situations where it's not about a player-to-player relationship - it's more about a man-to-man relationship. He's been there for me so people have to know that. He's a great skipper.
"We've been through quite a few battles alongside each other, obviously playing together under Steven Gerrard and then with Gio van Bronckhorst before I got injured.
"We've had plenty of games together and different situations that we've got around the season. People see what Tav does on the pitch but he does so much more behind the scenes."
Now focused on the present, Hagi is eager to contribute to Rangers' success and hinted at his desire to remain with the team next season.
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"Listen, I want to win," he added. "That's my thing in life, in everything I do. I never take anything for granted and I'm not doing anything half-hearted.
"I just want to win and this club wants to win so I think that (staying) goes without saying. It's a nice feeling pulling the shirt on again. I've loved every second of it.
"Was there a moment I felt it would never come? Not exactly because I've been around professional football for a while now. I know that everything changes quite quickly from good to bad or bad to good.
"It got to a point where we both (Hagi and Clement) wanted to win. And that's why I'm back here.
"I know what I can bring to the table now. I want to play my best football and be as creative as possible. I'm happy to be back in the mix. Why did I want to stay here? I love the club, pure and simple."
