GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST has confirmed that Ianis Hagi will miss the start of next season after undergoing knee surgery last month.

The playmaker sustained cruciate ligament damage during the Scottish Cup victory over Stirling Albion and subsequently went under the knife in London.

Romania manager Edi Iordanescu revealed this week that the 23-year-old may not be fit enough to return until August at the earliest as he embarks on a lengthy rehabilitation programme.

And Van Bronckhorst has now detailed the difficult road ahead for Hagi following a cruel injury blow that has denied Rangers one of their key attacking talents this term.

Van Bronckhorst said: "It’s a cruciate ligament. I’ve had the injury as well. It’s between six and nine months.

"If you count, then it’s likely he will miss the start of the season. I think it’s not difficult maths to do.

"Hopefully his recovery will go smoothly and he can recover good. That’s our main objective.

"If you are out between six and nine months, you just have to wait and see how the rehab is developing. It’s no surprise."