Ianis Hagi believes Rangers’ struggles this season point to deeper issues as the club’s Europa League run continues to shine a light on their domestic shortcomings.
Barry Ferguson’s side are preparing for Thursday night’s Europa League quarter-final second leg against Athletic Club in Bilbao, aiming to build on last week’s hard-fought 0-0 draw at Ibrox.
But while European competition has once again brought out a battling edge in Rangers — reminiscent of their run to the 2022 final under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, where they narrowly lost out to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties — the same level of consistency has evaded them on Scottish soil.
The gap to Celtic in the Premiership has stretched to 15 points, and both domestic cup campaigns ended without silverware — including a shock Scottish Cup exit at the hands of second-tier Queen’s Park.
For Hagi, the contrast is as frustrating for the players as it is for the fans.
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“If I knew the answer to that question, then we probably wouldn't be in that situation this season,” the Romanian admitted, when asked why Rangers have excelled in Europe yet faltered in Scotland.
“We are obviously trying to figure out things. I've been part of a Rangers team that did well domestically in the same season as a good European season, so it’s tough to analyse just from one perspective - especially from a player's perspective.”
While Hagi accepted the players must shoulder their share of responsibility, he suggested that the root of the problem runs deeper than performances on the pitch alone.
“I think there are bigger questions that we have to address all around, not just from a player’s point of view,” he told Sky Sports. “But as a player, what you can do is get ready for the next game — and Thursday is such a huge game, so we have to be fully focused on that and hopefully get into the next round.”
He is urging the squad to meet the moment with belief and determination.
Hagi, who netted a stoppage-time equaliser in last weekend’s 2-2 league draw at Aberdeen, acknowledged: "We want to give something back to the fans and it’s the only competition that we can still win.
“Anything can happen, so we have to keep a balanced mindset but at the same time believe in yourself — and believe in the power that this football club has at this level of football, especially in this competition.”
Rangers will hope to draw on that belief at San Mamés — the very stadium where this season’s Europa League final will be staged — as they bid to write another chapter in their European story.
