Ianis Hagi's exclusion from the latest Romania squad could have an adverse impact on his confidence.

That's according to Romanian agent Victor Becali.

The Rangers attacker has returned to the pitch in recent weeks after spending 13 months on the sidelines. 

The 24-year-old spent over a year out with a serious knee injury.

The playmaker started the Scottish Cup tie against Partick Thistle last month but was subbed at half-time. He has since made a couple of fleeting appearances from the bench.

This lack of game time appears to be the reason behind Edi Iordanescu leaving him out of his Romania squad.

Becali reckons this could have potentially had a negative impact on Hagi's confidence.

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He told Romanian radio station Sport Total FM: "Even though he hasn't played for so long, he's been through a tougher time, we're not that great a team now and to say that you're doing someone wrong.

"A coach has to find his way at certain times. A player who has been through a period of this, you have to give him some credit, that's my opinion and trust me I'm not being subjective.

"That's my opinion, doesn't mean anyone has to do it that way. Normally, regarding Ianis, I could be subjective, because I know him since he was a child, I am friends with his father, he grew up under my eyes.

"In certain situations, you have to give a player a little confidence, he could have needed a helping hand at this moment. We have to help the footballers, because he is a very important player for the national team.

"Sure he can't be what his father was, but he's a player we can count on for years to come. He may not play as a starter, that's what I think a coach would do, give the player confidence, many coaches have done things like that. Iordanescu is the one who decides, he is responsible for these things"

Glasgow Times:

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