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Rangers suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the last 16 tie of the Europa League.

Ianis Hagi was the star for the Scottish Premiership club in the previous round against Braga, yet Steven Gerrard decided to leave the Genk owned player out of the starting lineup for the latest tie at Ibrox.

The Romania international was brought on in the 68th minute, after the Bundesliga side doubled their lead. Minutes after George Edmundson netted a goal for the hosts in the 75th minute, Hagi won a free kick for his side.

Hagi wanted to take the free-kick, but had to give up in the end to Borna Barišić, appearing disappointed.

Dinamo București’s team manager Ionel Dănciulescu believes some of Gerrard’s side could feel threatened because of Hagi.

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“Maybe some players felt overshadowed by his form and the fact that the fans adore him and the world is with him,” Dănciulescu was quoted as saying by Pro Sport.

“There could be internal conflicts. Ianis Hagi might be marginalised inside. And I may be right, given what I saw tonight in the free kick.”

Hagi joined Rangers on a loan deal in January and they have an option to make the deal permanent in the summer.