QPR youngster Ebere Eze says he is not bothered about criticism from fans.
Eze was a huge favourite after bursting on to the scene but a dip in form has led to some criticism of him, particularly on social media.
But the forward told Talksport: “It doesn’t faze me. Everyone is entitled to their opinion at the end of the day. Receiving criticism is part and parcel of being a footballer.
“When it’s going well they talk about you just as much. You can’t be too up or too down.
“Fans are going to comment on what is going on, so you have to deal with it. You have to be thick skinned.”
Eze was given the huge honour of wearing Rangers’ number 10 shirt – previously worn by the likes of Rodney Marsh, Stan Bowles, Simon Stainrod, John Byrne, Roy Wegerle and Adel Taarabt.
“I didn’t see the number 10 shirt as too much pressure being put on me,” he said.
“Of course with that comes expectation, but at the end of the day I know what I’m capable of producing.
“I didn’t let it affect my mindset in terms of what I wanted to do and how I wanted to play.
“You have to deal with that pressure and expectation as a footballer, regardless of your age or status.
“I saw being given the shirt as an appreciation for what I had achieved so far and a belief from people at the club that I can prove to be a key player here.”