Defiant Rangers star breaks injury silence in 'stop listening left and right' message to fans

Rangers star Ianis Hagi has insisted he remains on schedule in his bid to return from a serious knee injury as he shot down rumours he had suffered from setbacks.

The Romanian international has been sidelined since January after suffering an ACL tear in a Scottish Cup tie against Stirling Albion that required surgery.

The timeline given for his recovery was given as nine to 12 months and the defiant Ibrox playmaker stressed that he remains on track, telling supporters to "stop listening left and right" to speculation to the contrary.

Hagi told Romanian publication Gazeta Sporturilor: "I'm fine, I've seen a lot of talk in these almost nine months. Many gave their opinion where it was not known. My injury was very clear from the first episode of the documentary I posted.

"It is an injury with a recovery period of nine-12 months. There was no problem coming back earlier. There was a lot of talk, but there was no point. I'm fine, it's not been nine months since the operation. I'm on the right track.

"It's a long-term operation, there are also moments when you stagnate, it's part of the recovery. You have to accept it. It's more of a mental injury than a physical one, but I'm very good mentally, happy. I feel strong. It won't be long before I recover. Everything is fine, stop listening left and right.

"I want to be in good shape at the start of the preliminaries for my country, that's the goal I've set for myself, I'm clear that's what I'm thinking about.

"Also to get back to the club team, play and do as well as I can. It's a group from which we want and must qualify. It remains to prove on the field."