Clement delighted to welcome ‘new signing’ Hagi back into the fold after contractual dispute is smoothed over

Philippe Clement has predicted that the return to the Ibrox fold of Ianis Hagi will be like a new signing for him.

The Romanian midfielder is back training with the Rangers first team after the club and his representatives came to a compromise over a contractual issue that was proving financially prohibitive for him to be selected.

Having signed from Gent under Steven Gerrard in 2020, Hagi spent last season out on loan at Spanish club Alaves.

With Clement only appointed in October and the player training and playing with the B team so far this term, the manager has never been able to consider him for selection.

While Hagi is not in the Europa League squad and still has to get up to the speed of first-team training, the Belgian is relishing his eventual return to action.

Philippe Clement insists having the Romanian available to him will feel like a new signing

Hagi has scored 16 goals in 99 appearance for Rangers, contributing 21 assists in the process

‘It was a contract issue from before my time, so the issue is now solved,’ admitted Clement.

‘He’s back in the squad training and he’s not an option yet, there’s a way to go, of course. But the more players you can have that can make a difference for your team, the better it is.

‘So, clearly I’m happy then that this situation that I didn’t like to have is resolved now. It’s a new signing in that way, because I was never able to work with him and to have him in my squad.’

Meanwhile, Clement has challenged Dujon Sterling to nail down a regular place in his side after signing a new deal until 2028.

The 24-year-old former Chelsea player’s versatility has been a welcome tool for the manager. But now Clement wants Sterling to mark his new contract by stringing together a succession of matches in one position.

‘Dujon showed several good things for me last season more than this season,’ said Clement.

Dujon Sterling has been urged to kick on at Ibrox after agreeing a contract extension

‘He struggled a bit with his fitness, so we need to get him better in that way. But he deserves this new contract, we believe a lot in his qualities for the future.

‘He showed also in different positions that he’s ready to fight for the club, for the squad. So, it’s important to keep those kind of players also in the club for the future.

‘You also need to show them that you can play 10 games in a row. 

He can compete in a lot of positions with a lot of players, but you need to show consistency and that’s what we’re going to work on with

him the next couple of months to make him that kind of player.’