Ianis Hagi’s Journey: From Ibrox to Alaves and Back Again
Loans away don’t always mean the end for a player at their parent club, and there are plenty of Rangers fans who are hoping to see Ianis Hagi back in action. The Romanian midfielder won the hearts of the fans with his impressive performances early in his Ibrox career, contributing to the team’s Premiership title in the 2020/21 season by scoring seven league goals. However, his career hit a rough patch due to injuries, which limited his playing time.
As a result, Hagi found himself struggling to secure the minutes he desired in Michael Beale’s side at the beginning of this season. It was then decided that a loan move to Alaves would be the best option for him. While it’s common for loan players to be forgotten, successful loan spells can also lead to a player returning to their parent club with renewed energy and form.
Proving himself in La Liga would undoubtedly work in Hagi’s favour, especially with the arrival of new manager Philippe Clement, who may see Hagi as a valuable addition to the squad. Hagi’s position is one that the team is lacking in, particularly after Beale constructed a squad with very few wingers, and Clement appears to favour a playing style that involves wingers.
In his time at Alaves, the 25-year-old has scored two goals, both of which came in the Copa Del Rey. In the league, he has made eight appearances and provided one assist. Despite the modest statistics, the regular game time he is receiving will help him regain fitness and confidence.
While his current stats may not fully reflect his impact, there is a metric that places him in good company alongside superstars like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. According to Wyscout, Hagi ranks ninth among players aged 25 and under for ‘expected threat’, with a score of 0.78, while Haaland and Mbappe top the list with 1.06 each. This metric combines a player’s expected goals and expected assists, indicating that Hagi would be forecast to make 0.78 goal contributions per game.
Hagi’s journey at Alaves is an opportunity for him to prove his worth and make a strong case for a return to Rangers. The fans will be eagerly awaiting his return, hoping to witness the resurgence of the talented midfielder who captured their hearts not long ago.