You couldn’t help but feel moved by the outpouring of emotion from Ianis Hagi when he rifled a shot past the despairing David Marshall as Rangers brushed aside Hibernian on Sunday.

The Romanian has endured a torrid 16 months to battle back from an ACL injury sustained in a Scottish Cup tie against Stirling Albion last season.

As much as it’s been a disappointing campaign on the whole for Rangers, Hagi has been afforded an opportunity to feel like a first-team player again with nothing tangible to play for but pride.

It’s clear he is still playing catch up to reach the sort of form he was in prior to his horror injury but moments like we witnessed at Easter Road at the weekend are pivotal if he is to do so.

Speaking to Rangers TV afterwards, Hagi was asked just how much his goal meant. “A lot,” he said.

“I tried to grab someone and hold my emotions together but I just couldn’t. In those 30 seconds, the last 16 months flashed in front of my eyes and it took me so long to get back to scoring goals.

“I’m happy to do this, it’s another challenge and I have more ahead of me. I’m really grateful I’m at this football club and I can still play considering the big injury.

“All the hard work I put in, these are the moments that make it worth it. Having so many fans supporting you and sending you so much love, you’ve got to take a moment and just enjoy it with them.

“It’s worth it, considering my situation 10/12 months ago and seeing myself now kicking a ball with my mates and scoring a goal, I can’t be more thankful than I am. There are challenges ahead and I can’t wait to face them.”

From a human perspective, it’s brilliant to see someone enjoying being able to do what they love after such a long time out and in Hagi’s case, you can tell he adores playing for Rangers.

He may not have grown up an avid supporter of the team from Govan but his badge thumping following his goal yesterday spoke of someone who gets this unique club and all that comes with that.

As he quite rightly stated, he does have challenges ahead and the main one is convincing Michael Beale he is worthy of a place in what will be a new-look Rangers squad next season.

Despite signing a new deal in December last year, Hagi is one of a number of players vying for the same position in that attacking midfield area and with several new faces required to enhance the current playing squad, the 24-year-old’s future is unclear.

READ MORE: Ianis Hagi on Rangers absence, injury return and living to win

Hagi was quizzed in a press conference earlier this month about the summer rebuild and his response was interesting. “Everybody knows publicly that it's going to be a big change in the summer,” he said.

“What I can talk about is it's about myself and what I can control. So for me, it's as I said, five games with Rangers, two more games with the national team, try to get the best out of it, try to get a really good fitness in these seven games and then have a really good and strong off-season.

“I won't really take off too much, probably a week and then just focus on my football because I've been away for a year. Basically, this is what I can control. I think everything else, it’s down to the board and the gaffer. That's a question for them.”

Rangers Review:

Like everyone in the Rangers squad, Hagi has an asking price and if a bid is tabled in the summer that meets the board’s valuation the likelihood is he’ll be departing.

However, his goal on Sunday and the noises coming from the former Genk man indicate someone who is determined to recapture the form that endeared him to the Rangers support in the first place.

This summer could well be Hagi’s most important to date if he wishes to remain in Glasgow. He needs to impress in pre-season and show he is capable of producing on a consistent basis.

If he can do that, his Ibrox story may have a few more chapters to go.