Ianis Hagi has revealed how he continued putting the sweat into his Rangers rehab even when he was sizzling in Seville.
The Romanian ace, still battling back from a devastating knee injury picked up against Stirling Albion in January, has been documenting his fight for fitness in a mini documentary series he’s screening on his Instagram account.
And in his latest instalment, the 23-year-old is shown enjoying the soaring temperatures in Spain as he met up with his father, Real Madrid and Barcelona great Gheorghe, the night before Rangers took on Eintracht Frankfurt in their Europa League date with destiny.
The footage also shows off the huge scar that has been left running down the outside of Hagi’s right knee after he underwent surgery in the days after his injury.
The images were captured as the Ibrox hero was being put through a gruelling gym session just hours before his team-mates went to work at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.
Gers were denied their moment of glory as the Germans took the trophy on penalties but Hagi hopes his own efforts pay off when he finally makes his return to action early next season.
He said: “I’ve been working a lot on the leg, trying to get it strong and getting ready to be back on the pitch as soon as possible.
“We’ve been focusing a lot on the balance, on strength as well as the other part, the upper body just to stay fit.
“I’m really happy with how everything is going and my knee feels really good.”
Hagi was hoping to cheer his team-mates onto victory in Seville but had to settle for joining in the Hampden party as Gers brushed off their Europa League disappointment to lift the Scottish Cup just three days later.
“It’s been a really good season in Europe,” he said. “Seville was amazing but obviously at the end of the day we didn’t win -but I’m really proud of the team and really proud of everyone around the club.
“It’s been one for the history [books].
“After that it was important to finish the season with a trophy.
“Being able to have that last game of the season, a cup final, was huge for everyone.
“The team prepared really well for that. I obviously had to continue my rehab everywhere I went, even in Seville then back to Glasgow.
“But (the team) were ready mentally, physically for that last game to win the trophy and managed to do that, adding a new trophy to the cabinet which is always good.
“I’m really proud of the team for what they’ve done this season.”
In a message to the punters, Hagi added: “Thank you very much for the support throughout the season, it’s been unbelievable.
“The season is over now but my offseason is really important. I’m going to work so hard throughout the summer.
“It’s a really important stage of my rehab and I’m looking forward to it. Stay tuned.”
