THE big European nights have brought out the best in Rangers over the last two seasons as they have restored their reputation and showcased their talents on the continental stage. The same is true for Ianis Hagi.

The playmaker was part of one of the most memorable nights that Ibrox has had for quite some time last term as he inspired the remarkable comeback against Braga.

Those are the kind of challenges that Steven Gerrard's side can now look forward to once again after they booked their place in the Europa League for the third successive season.

And Hagi is determined to make the most of the opportunity once again as Rangers begin their Group D campaign away to Standard Liege this evening.

Hagi said: “We are obviously looking forward to it very much. Looking back to last season there was involvement in the Champions League and also the Europa League when I joined Rangers.

“It was one of my objectives again this season to play in Europe. Hopefully I can have better performances than last season. I think the team, and the whole squad at Rangers, has really matured in a European sense.

“If you think back, the club has had to come through three years of qualifying rounds.

“For sure, it is not easy. You can see the confidence and the belief growing, that is something I felt from day one.

“We have a lot of players now with experience and we know how to win football matches.

“Hopefully we can push and go better than last season because that has to be the target.

"We are determined to kick on. Having played so many matches just to reach the group stages is tough, but we are here again and we want to do well. We want to get out of the group.”

Rangers have made the trip to Belgium in fine form and high spirits following their Old Firm win at Parkhead on Saturday.

An unbeaten start to the Premiership leaves them well placed domestically but there was a frustration for Hagi as the Romanian was overlooked for a derby debut against Neil Lennon's side.

He said: “It’s true that we have started the season as we had wanted, but it’s also true to say we probably could have done even better.

“We are in a good position, we are in a position we want to be, but the job is not finished.

“It’s early in the season and our mentality won’t change until we achieve our objectives and our goals. We will always have the mentality where we go into a match wanting to win.

“I am sure that my chance will come, that was only the first Old Firm game of the season and there are more to come. I am looking forward to being involved in one of them and hopefully I will be fit, but that is for the next game.

“I am now looking towards the game against Liege. I feel really good on the European stage because I believe my style is suited there.

“But I feel good now at Rangers. Even although I have been there for ten months I’ve only had four because of Covid.

“I am only at the beginning, that is for sure. I am still working on the chemistry with the team but I believe that with every single game I am improving. There is more to come for sure and I hope it will be even better to what has happened until now.”