Romanian football legend Gheorge Popescu has taken aim at critics of Rangers midfielder Ianis Hagi, claiming the Ibrox star receives harsher treatment in his homeland due to his famous name.
The 22-year-old has recently reclaimed his place among Steven Gerrard's starting XI after a short period on the fringes, scoring the winner in the 1-0 victory over Hibernian on Boxing Day.
The £3 million summer signing has four goals in 27 games for the Premiership leaders this season, helping them extend their lead over rivals Celtic at the division's summit to 19 points and ensuring the Gers progressed to the knockout stages of the Europa League.
But Popescu, who was a contemporary of Hagi's legendary father Gheorge for club and country, insisted too much pressure was being placed on his shoulders, adding he needed time to reach his full potential.
The former Barcelona and Tottenham defender told Romanian TV to "forget the name" on the back of his shirt and focus on the youngster's individual talent.
He added: "He's Gheorghe Hagi's boy, but what's the point of this? I don't understand why he's put under so much magnifying glass.
"No Romanian player who plays abroad is so much under scrutiny. Gheorghe Hagi had some exaggerated statements, but I take his statements as those of Hagi's father, not as those of coach Hagi. Some of his statements seem exaggerated, but I understand them.
"It seems to me that he is on a very, very good road at Rangers, in a league where he plays every three days. I look at the statements of the coach, who says he is very satisfied.
"I don't see why there's so much pressure on Ianis. He does not have Gheorghe's physical qualities, but he has a different physical structure.
"He needs time, he needs to play. It is in a correct progression.”
