If Joe Aribo’s absence from Rangers’ first team proved one thing, it’s that Ianis Hagi simply doesn’t cut it as a deputy.

Ibrox Noise’s Scott will cover the return of our Nigerian superstar later today, but for now we look at his effective replacement while Aribo has been away in Cameroon.

Hagi has a big name to live up to, and in a recent straw poll on our social media channels we asked if he was in any way comparing to his old man.

The answer was a universal and resounding ‘no’ with fans scoffing at the idea and pointing out just how superior Gheorghe was.

And of course, that’s huge pressure – the only football dynasty in which the son has matched (or even exceeded) the father on the pitch was the Maldini empire in which Paolo probably surpassed his illustrious father. Son Daniel hopes to even be half of the success of his family.

So Hagi has history against him, and Paolo Maldini he is not.

And in Aribo’s absence, Hagi’s limitations were glaring. He has a good work ethic, but he lacks impact. He has a good attitude, yet seems alone or isolated. He has good vision and can pick locks, but lacks pace and the body to keep up with the speed of thought in his head.

In summary, he seems to fall short on just about every front, being poor at nothing but outstanding at nothing either.

He gets a fair few assists, so he is far from a failure, but the fact he couldn’t fill in for Aribo, couldn’t take the chance to cement that 10 slot as his own while the ex-Charlton man was away, summed up his shortcomings.

Aribo’s return is a massive boost for us, his shoes are indeed huge to fill.

But it seems like Ianis Hagi couldn’t fill them, or his father’s.

He’s a good player, but he’s not good enough.