Philippe Clement changes tune on Ianis Hagi as Rangers boss reveals contract the REAL issue despite 'next No 10' claim

Philippe Clement has applauded Ianis Hagi for sacrificing a major pay rise to overcome his Rangers contract wrangle.

The Romanian was told he was free to find a new club over the summer, with Record Sport exclusively revealing that a clause in his Gers deal entitled him to wage hike after making 100 appearances for the Light Blues. He's been sat on 99 for over a year and looked set to depart the club as Clement tried to ship out some of his higher earners to make space on the wage bill for new signings.

But a deal has now been struck for Hagi to return to action at Ibrox after he agreed to give up that salary increase. Clement said: “Both parties worked towards each other and found each other finally, so that's a good thing. It was a contract issue from before my time, so the issue is solved. Both parties, the club and Hagi, came together and now it's resolved.

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“So it's normal, he's back in the squad training and by getting him back to his best level, that's the job now to do. He's not an option yet, so 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. Clearly I'm happy then that this situation that I didn't like to have is resolved now.

“He behaved all the time well and our contact was good all the time, so there was never a problem between us. We met each other a lot of times here in the building, so he did everything what you expect from a professional player. But in those situations it's maybe not always the case, but he's been an example in that way for sure.”

However, the most recent explanation is at odds with Clement's previous explanations for Hagi's absence, which included the signing of Nedim Bajrami, after which the Belgian made it clear that there was no way back for Hagi.

Speaking on August 31, Clement said: "We spoke about that months ago," said the Ibrox manager. "We were really open and honest with him (Hagi) and his agent that we don’t see him becoming the next No 10 for Rangers for the next couple of years, so to look out for other opportunities. That story stays the same and, for sure, with Bajrami now in the building, you have this situation.”

Hagi has been a regular for the club’s B team during his stint in the wilderness and has also been involved with his national team.

Ianis Hagi returns to Rangers first team fold
Ianis Hagi returns to Rangers first team fold

But his boss admits it may take the 25-year-old - who will sit out tonight’s Lyon showdown having been omitted from Clement’s Uefa squad - time to get fully up to speed.

Asked how far behind the rest of the group Hagi was, Clement joked: “You want it in miles or kilometres? No, it doesn't work that way. Ianis trains now one time with me. Of course, he trains all the time with the second team. We let him play the games with the second team to keep his fitness as high as possible.

“So we will see the next days, the next weeks, how that is. And then it's about fighting for the places in the squad, in the team. It's for him the same as for other players. Yes, for sure. 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 is hoping for big things from Dujon Sterling after handing the Ibrox utility man a new four year deal this week.

“Dujon showed several good things last season, this season, for me last season more than this season. 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.

“Is it important for him to settled down into one position? Yes, of course, but you also need to show them that you can play 10 games in a row in that position. You need to show consistency and that's what we're going to work on with him the next couple of months.”

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