Manager knows first-hand that Popescu has the ‘bottle’ to influence promotion bid

Mi h a i Po p e s c u wa s i n s t r u - mental in denying then Dundee United boss Robbie Neilson his Premiership dream but they are hoping that together they can bolster Hearts’.

T h e R o ma n i a n , p i c t u r e d , was a key player in the St Mirren side that staved off relegation by beating the Tannadice side in the 2018/19 Premiership play-off but although he disappointed Neilson in that tussle, Popescu’s performances in the two-legged tie impressed the man who is now manager of the demoted Tynecastle side. And, looking for a swift return to the top flight, he believes the 27-year- old centre -back will prove an asset in helping them achieve that.

“They beat us in the play-offs when I was at United so I know the t ype of player he is and I know he has the bottle to play in big games,” said Neilson.

“I know his strengths and his weaknesses and I s p o k e t o p e o p l e a t St Mirren ab out his c h a r a c t e r a n d e ve - r y t h i n g c a m e b a c k very well so we are delighted to get him. I think he w i l l b e g r e a t for us because he can defend but he can carry the ball out of defence as well.”

While the rearguard resolve is vital, the ability of the former Dinamo Bucharest star, who became a firm fan favourite d u r i n g h i s s i x m o n t h s i n Paisley, to turn defence into a t t a c k a l i g n s h i m w i t h Ne i l s o n’s d e s i r e t o p u s h f o r w a r d a t pace and keep the opposition under pressure.

I s o l a t i n g d u e to quarantine rules, the player who h a s s i g n e d a t wo - ye a r deal, is expected to be joined by a new left-back, a midfielder and another attacking option should Neilson get his way and the club succeed in moving the squad surplus on.

T i m e i s o f t h e e s s e n c e , though, as the club embarks on their League Cup campaign against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on 6 October, and the Championship starts a couple of weeks later, ahead of the trip to Hampden to face Hibernian in the Scottish Cup at the end of next month.

“The important thing for us is to build a strong squad,” added Neilson. “We have [Peter] Haring still to come in, [Christo - phe] Berra to come back, [Steven] Naismith is to come back [all from long-term injury] so we have real quality there but, for me, I still think we need to add another one or two as well. It is impor tant that we have that strength this season.”