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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Ianis Hagi admits disappointment over Rangers playing 'situation'

Ianis Hagi has admitted his disappointment over his role at Rangers but insisted he respects Michael Beale's decisions.

The 24-year-old climbed off the bench in the 2-1 comeback win over Greenock Morton after being left out of the starting line-up despite a raft of changes.

And Hagi admitted he doesn't always agree with Beale's selection calls as he ruled out the suggestion he has anything to prove at Ibrox.

"Look, I think every football player wants to play," said Hagi when asked about not being handed a start in the Viaplay Cup clash. "I am obviously disappointed about the situation that I am [in]. But I respect the gaffers’ decisions. That doesn’t mean that I agree with them, but I respect them.

"He is the football manager of this football club. You know, I am a simple guy and I just love football. I train 100 per cent on a daily basis, I have come back from a one year injury.

"They know who I am, they know my history at this football club and what I did. You know, I just want to play football."

He added: "I am in no position to prove to anyone anything. They know who I am as a player, they know what I did here when I have played football games.

"I have won, at this football club, individual trophies and collective trophies. For me, as I said, I am a simple guy. I just love to play football. That is what I did since I started walking as a kid.

"I am just happy to be on the football pitch, playing, just enjoying my football. This is who I am. I am a simple guy."

Despite the obvious disappointment, Hagi revealed he is in the best condition of his career after returning from a long-term injury lay-off.

"I never felt better. I never felt better. I knew I needed a full pre-season," he explained.

"I think I am the only player in this team that never missed one session this pre-season plus the start of the season I have been available in everything.

"I am just really happy with how I am physically. My stats, strength wise and everything, they are better than prior to the injury so I am in a really good place.

"Mentally I am in a really good place. Like I said, I just want to enjoy my football."

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