Ianis Hagi insists he will be 'forever grateful' for his reception from the Rangers crowd upon returning to Ibrox.

Supporters gave the 25-year-old a rousing applause as he finally took to the field in a first-team game again after several months spent being frozen out.

Last week, a dispute with the club over a contractual issue was resolved, and Philippe Clement was allowed to recall him into his first-team squad from the B team.

The Romania international's last appearance for the Light Blues came in a League Cup game against Morton in August 2023.

But he finally got to represent the Ibrox giants again in Sunday night's comfortable 2-0 victory over St Johnstone.

The playmaker assisted Vaclav Cerny for his second goal of the evening in the Scottish Premiership encounter.

His appearance was cut short though, as Hagi was sent off following a VAR check for a challenge on Benji Kimpioka.

Hagi looked visibly upset after he caught the striker high on his shin, but the red card means he will now be out for the next two league games against Kilmarnock and St Mirren. He'll also miss the Europa League tie against Steaua Bucharest as he's not named in the squad.

Emotional about last night, Hagi thanked the Rangers faithful for backing him as they warmly accepted him back at Ibrox.

He wrote: "Ibrox, thank you. I will forever be grateful for last night’s reception."

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Meanwhile, Ally McCoist has apologised to Rangers supporters after he inadvertently snubbed an Ibrox tribute.

The Rangers hero received an OBE last week and was then hailed by his former club during the match against Lyon.

McCoist, 62, was on commentary duty for the Europa League tie and completely missed a video tribute played on the big screen at Ibrox.