Crossword Genius

Emperor in north-east or heading back (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nero

'emperor' is the definition.
(Roman emperor)

'north-east or heading back' is the wordplay.
'north east' becomes 'ne'.
'heading back' is a reversal indicator.
'or' backwards is 'ro'.
'ne'+'ro'='NERO'

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for nero that I've seen before include "Barbarous Roman emperor" , "Ancient Roman emperor" , "Roman emperor on the fiddle?" , "Ruler" , "Roman emperor infamous for his cruelty" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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