Clement insists Hagi tackle was just 'clumsy' after Romanian is sent off on his Rangers comeback
Philippe Clement has blamed ring rust for comeback man Ianis Hagi’s red card against St Johnstone.
The midfielder, who hadn’t featured in a Rangers match squad since August last year, was sent packing 35 minutes after he came off the bench in a 2-0 win at Ibrox. Providing an assist for Vaclav Cerny’s second goal of the night, the Romanian international then saw red when he lunged into a reckless challenge on striker Benjamin Kimpioka.
Clement admitted the officials got it right when they upgraded the initial yellow card on VAR’s recommendation, but he claimed Hagi’s tackle was clumsy rather than violent. ‘Ianis didn’t play for a long time,’ said the Rangers boss. ‘The red card is a clumsy challenge. It’s one from a player who is not yet fit at the moment.
‘This is the only way to get him fit and ready. It’s not a violent one or with high intensity - it’s more of a clumsy one and an unlucky one.
‘It’s a clear red card when I saw it afterwards. I can’t be disappointed in him, because he’s just in the building, in that way, training with us.
‘One of my main principles is that I don’t want that kind of challenge. I don’t want people (to) raise their feet, I don’t want that they block these challenges or use their body in that way, because then you risk these moments.
Ianis Hagi's comeback lasted just 35 minutes due to his reckless challenge on Benjamin Kimpioka.
Hagi was initially shown a yellow card, but it was upgraded to red on VAR's recommendation.
Vaclav Cerny headed straight for manager Philippe Clement after the first of his two goals.
‘That’s clear for everybody in the squad, but Ianis, we didn’t speak yet about those things, so it’s a harsh lesson. But I don’t think it will be a really big, big suspension, because you see it’s not with big intensity. He will go away with his national team now and I hope he gets minutes there. When he comes back, we will get him back in training.’
Hagi, who settled a long-running contract dispute with the Ibrox club in midweek, set up Cerny for the second of his two goals.
The Czech winger bounced back from the mental turmoil caused by an awful miss in the 4-1 Europa League loss to Lyon. After exchanging angry words with fans, he deleted his Instagram account.
‘You don’t like to miss chances like on Thursday,’ added Clement, ‘and he is an experienced player.
‘He knows the importance of not making that goal. It changed the game. He was really down about that. It’s also the reason why he came to me after the (first) goal.
‘He kept my confidence, there was no doubt about that. I know his quality, his workrate and what he wants to do for this club. Then the goals flow and I’m really happy for him that he scored two quality goals.’
With a numerical advantage, St Johnstone thought they had pulled one back through Nicky Clark before an offside flag cut short the celebrations.
The Perth club’s new manager Simo Valakari watched from the main stand as he awaits a work visa.
Interim boss Andy Kirk said: ‘There’s definitely positives we can take from the game - and the fact that the new manager will be able to work pretty soon and he’s got to see the players live, see what he’s got to do , and hopefully we can improve.
‘The manager’s attitude is very positive, he wants to play on the front foot. We get a bit of time now in the international break to work with the players and get that across to them.’
